Meetings are essential—but too often, they waste more time than they create value. Research shows that, on average, we spend 31 hours a month in unproductive meetings. No wonder some of the world’s most successful leaders set strict rules to keep meetings effective.
Jeff Bezos famously only holds meetings small enough to be fed with two large pizzas. And at LinkedIn, Jeff Weiner eliminated presentations altogether. Yet many businesses still suffer what the BBC calls a “meetings epidemic”—hours spent that don’t move the company forward.
Ending the Epidemic
At EOS®, we help business leaders put structure into meetings so they become productive, focused, and results-driven. A simple framework can save valuable time, improve communication, and ensure your team spends time on what really matters.
Rate Your Meetings
One of the most effective tools we use is the Level 10 Meeting Agenda. It keeps meetings on track, ensuring the leadership team focuses on the key priorities, addresses pressing issues, and solves them rather than getting sidetracked.
Taking this a step further, rate each meeting. Measuring effectiveness allows you to manage and improve it. Expect a 10—and you’ll get a 10.
How to Rate a Meeting
A meeting’s success isn’t about how long it lasts, how tired you feel, or even whether you “got stuff done.” It’s about how well your team worked through the agenda together.
During the meeting, the facilitator can ask at key points: “Does everyone agree we’re on track?” At the end, recap the meeting and give feedback on how well it ran. Then rate it out of ten.
Ask yourself and your team:
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Did we start and end on time?
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Was everyone prepared?
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Did we follow the agenda?
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Did we review the ‘to-do’ list and clarify next steps?
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Did we identify, discuss, and solve issues?
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Was it “EOS pure”—no tangents, politics, or wasted time?
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Did we work effectively as a team?
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Did everyone participate and speak openly?
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Did we challenge each other to be our best?
If the answer to all of these is yes, give it a 10—and celebrate.
If not, ask: What needs to change next time? Encourage honest feedback from your team and make adjustments. Over time, you’ll spend far less time in unproductive meetings, freeing up space for real work that drives your business forward.
The Takeaway
Great meetings aren’t accidental—they’re structured, disciplined, and accountable. By measuring effectiveness, following a clear agenda, and rating your performance, your team can make every meeting count. The result? Better focus, stronger alignment, and more traction for your business.