Gina Gardiner Associates

If you groaned just reading the word "meeting," I understand. I used to groan too.

Like many leaders, I spent hours each week in long, draining meetings that seemed to generate more frustration than solutions. Everyone spoke, but little changed. It often felt like we were rearranging deckchairs on a ship that was already moving in circles.

I thought of the true cost of the time spent in meetings and knew things must change. I decided to approach meetings differently. Instead of asking, "What do we need to discuss?" I asked, "What would make this meeting truly valuable for everyone in the room?"

That shift changed everything.

Agendas became more focused, and we identified how best to share information efficiently so staff were well prepared. The decision-making process was significantly more effective so we spent significantly less time in meetings. Slowly but surely, meetings became seen as a vital and enjoyable activity. People showed up ready to contribute. We were actually left with more time in the day, not less.

Here's what I learned:

• A meeting without clarity will consume energy instead of creating it.
• People value brevity and focus far more than elaborate presentations.
• When you design a meeting to give people time back, they give you their best energy in return.

Meetings don't have to be the bane of leadership. In fact, when they're intentional, they become one of the most powerful tools for alignment, trust, and momentum.

So the next time you walk into a meeting, pause and ask yourself: How can I give everyone here a gift of time and clarity today?

You might be surprised at how differently the room feels.

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