The Business Case for Fewer Meetings and More Execution Time
Meetings are intended to improve coordination, communication, and decision-making. In theory, they align teams and accelerate progress. In practice, however, many organizations experience the opposite effect. Calendars fill with recurring sessions, discussions repeat familiar topics, and employees leave with little clarity about next steps. The problem is not meetings themselves—it is imbalance. When discussion replaces action, productivity declines. Modern businesses increasingly recognize that execution time —uninterrupted periods for meaningful work—is a critical driver of performance. Reducing unnecessary meetings does not weaken collaboration. Instead, it strengthens results by allowing employees to convert plans into outcomes. 1. Meetings Consume the Most Limited Resource: Attention Time is limited, but attention is even more constrained. Complex tasks require concentration. Each meeting interrupts focus, forcing employees to switch mental context. Frequent context switching...