Was an Email a Better Choice for That Meeting?

How many times have you sat in a meeting, glancing at the clock, and silently wondered, “Could this whole thing have been summed up in an email?” If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. Picture this: you’re in a meeting that feels like it’s doing a marathon when a sprint might’ve sufficed. Now, let me share a recent experience. In our weekly project update meeting, we circled around the same issues we’d discussed in detail via email just the day before. Talk about déjà vu.

The 5 Signs That the Meeting Was a Waste of Time

You Feel It’s a Waste of Time

Your gut instincts are a powerful indicator. If you leave the meeting with a nagging feeling that your time could have been better spent, it’s a clear sign that something might be amiss.

• Example: During the weekly team catch-up, you notice a recurring theme of off-topic discussions that consistently derails the agenda. Your sense of frustration grows, leaving you with the feeling that your valuable time could have been better utilized on focused, actionable items.

You Don’t Have Clear Takeaway or Action Items

Effective meetings should result in actionable outcomes. If you find yourself…