Meetings are meant to drive alignment, creativity, and innovation, but for many teams, they’ve become productivity killers. Endless discussions, unclear agendas, and lack of focus often leave people feeling drained rather than energized.
In this episode of Breaking the Chain, hosts Nathaniel Chapman and Terentia Browne unpack how to run truly effective meetings, the kind that get things done, build team culture, and protect people’s focus time.
They explore why meetings have become a major productivity issue in the post-pandemic workplace and what leaders can do to fix it. Research from Harvard Business Review and Microsoft highlights that most employees don’t get enough uninterrupted focus time, with a third of meetings being unnecessary, wasting billions of dollars and countless hours.
But as Nathaniel and Terentia emphasize, this isn’t just a time management problem, it’s a culture and productivity crisis. Effective meetings aren’t about squeezing more into the day; they’re about creating the right environment for alignment and innovation.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
1️⃣ Set the logistics – Be clear on the purpose, stick to the agenda, and only invite people who’ll add value.
2️⃣ Define the duration – Keep it focused, allow breathing room between meetings, and remember standing meetings are often shorter and more productive.
3️⃣ Lead with purpose – Every meeting needs a facilitator. No lead means no focus.
Effective meetings aren’t about packing more into the day – they’re about creating space for what actually matters. When done right, meetings can drive clarity, connection, and culture.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of Breaking the Chain to learn how to transform meetings from routine check-ins into powerful moments of productivity and purpose.
