Science has a clear message for workplaces drowning in meetings: have fewer of them.
A meta-analysis spanning more than a decade of research found that reducing meetings by 40% can increase employee productivity by more than 70%. Another study, published in the Journal of Organizational Behavior, revealed that meetings starting just 10 minutes late are one-third less effective—both in actual and perceived results—than those that start on time.
And if that’s not reason enough to rethink your calendar, a Transcripts of the Royal Society of London study found that people solving problems in small groups suffer an average IQ drop of about 15%. In other words, stepping into a meeting can literally make you less sharp.
In short: a jam-packed meeting schedule is not a badge of productivity. But for those gatherings that truly are necessary, there’s a proven way to make them count—borrow a page from Oprah Winfrey’s playbook.
Author Brendon Burchard, in High Performance Habits, says Oprah begins every meeting with three questions:
- What is our intention for this meeting?
- What’s important?
- What matters?
The method is rooted in clarity—something high performers actively seek rather than passively receive. Clear goals and focus reduce distractions, helping teams zero in on decisions and outcomes.
This clarity should extend to meeting agendas. Avoid vague terms like “recap” or “discussion,” which often signal that the gathering is simply to share information. Instead, share necessary documents or reports in advance, and reserve meeting time for making decisions—what will be done, by whom, and when.
The most productive meetings often have a one-sentence agenda: “Set product launch date.” “Select supplier.” “Assign rollout responsibilities.” Such focus keeps participants aligned with the original intention.
The next time you hold a meeting, start on time and open with those three questions. If the conversation drifts, use them to refocus. It might feel awkward at first, but your colleagues will thank you—and your productivity metrics will too.
Because no one likes an unproductive meeting. And nor should you.
