Let’s be honest: most meetings suck.
Too many. Too long. Too boring.
People multitask. The energy drags. Everyone leaves wondering, “Couldn’t this have been an email?”
And yet, if you’re like the engineering managers I coach, you’re spending anywhere from 25% to 80% of your week in meetings. That’s a massive investment of your time.
So here’s the truth:
If you improve the effectiveness of your meetings by just 5%, the compounding results over your career are enormous.
By the way, not everything I see in engineering leadership is “safe” for LinkedIn. That’s why I write NSFL rants and trench notes only for my inner circle. If you want the real stories and insights, subscribe here.
The 3-Step Skill That Changes Everything
When I work with engineering leaders in our Blueprint program, I teach a simple skill that transforms meetings from a time sink into a value creation machine: priming.
Here’s how it works:
#1 – Shift the Energy
Stop the small talk. Stop waiting for stragglers.
Signal clearly: “Alright everyone, let’s get started.”
That quick shift pulls attention into the room and sets the tone.
#2 – Set the Frame
This is where most leaders fail.
Define exactly:
- Why are we here?
- What do we need to accomplish?
- How will we operate?
- What success looks like when we’re done.
It can be as short as 30 seconds, but it creates clarity and focus.
#3 – Ask for Acknowledgement
Don’t just dump the agenda and move on.
Ask: “Does that sound good to everyone? Are we aligned?”
Look for the nods, thumbs-up, or quick “yes.”
Once people commit, it’s easier to keep them engaged and on track.
Why It Works
Leaders who’ve practiced this skill in my mastermind report:
- Meetings finishing early because there’s less wasted time.
- Easier redirection when conversations go off track.
- Teams showing up more engaged because results actually happen.
- In some cases… realizing the meeting wasn’t even needed, and canceling it.
Let Me Leave You With This
Whoever primes and frames a meeting owns the meeting.
If it’s your meeting, that’s your job.
If nobody primes, step up and lead from the back of the room.
Because you can’t afford to spend 80% of your week in meetings that suck.
Game on.
👉 Want to master high-leverage leadership skills like this? Book a free Career Growth Audit. Let’s build the roadmap to get your time back and multiply your impact.
The post How to Lead Meetings that Don’t Suck appeared first on OACO.
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