Part 3. Using a Mullet Meetings approach to improve meetings.
The Mullet Meetings series is my approach to meetings where work's upfront and the party's at the back.
So far we’ve tackled two issues: no agenda and no one contributing to the agenda.
It’s worth pausing before we go any further to ask a key question: should you actually call this meeting?
Issue 3: Meetings for the sake of them
You call a meeting because that’s just what we do, right? Why?
Cultural norm
It’s what people expect. It’s the standard approach to communicating with colleagues because we assume it means people will feel engaged.
Before you call a meeting for the sake of it, consider whether there’s a better way to share what needs to be shared. If it’s telling rather than talking, it’s probably better in an email.
Work without working
Holding a meeting can feel productive even if it’s not. It’s a safe thing to do. It’s work without working. Being tied up in meetings can also feel safer than getting on with the hard stuff. Ask yourself if you are using meetings to avoid other work.
Lazy leadership
A standing team meeting doesn't need a new objective every week, but it does need intention behind it or becomes a waste of time. That's on the leader to protect, not just accept. Rotate who opens it. Ask a real question, not just "any updates?"
Try "what's the best thing that happened this week" or "what's one thing you're stuck on." Cut anything that could be an email and use the time together for meaningful discussion. If it's meant to be the best meeting of the week, treat it as the one you'd be embarrassed to cancel.
Still worried about not calling a meeting? Remember, if your meeting is cancelled and no one notices its absence, it’s a clear sign it didn’t need to happen.
What’s as bad as a pointless meeting? A disinterested one. That’s what we’ll be tackling next time.
P.S. Introverts often don't voice an opinion in a meeting unless they're asked.
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