We all have too many meetings.

• Let's keep them to a minimum.
• I prefer instant, quick, random, face to face catch ups over scheduling yet more meetings.
• Let's combine multiple weekly updates into single meetings.

Meeting punctuality

I like to start and finish meetings on time. I encourage you to start your meetings on time even if some people are late. Being late to meetings is rude to everyone else. Being late doesn't make you 'busy' or 'important.'

Sometimes being late is inevitable, but generally, because a previous, poorly run meeting has overrun. If you are in a late-running meeting, please make your excuses and get to the next one on time.

Actions like this encourage better planning and behaviour from others. Otherwise, it becomes and feels acceptable (which it is not).

Meetings must have a purpose

• An action-driven subject, at least.
• Brief agenda, ideally.
• Material circulated (and read) ahead of time.
• Get to the punchline early.

Finish when you're done

If the meeting has run its course, finish early and give people the time back.

Don't over invite

Is everyone on the list really needed?

Meeting leader

Every meeting needs a ringmaster to keep to the agenda, to stop people rambling and to bring quieter people in for their input.

• A good meeting leader encourages input from the quieter attendees who can't compete with the HIPPOs and ZEBRAs.