Welcome to today’s quick take on staff meetings—those necessary evils we all know too well. But what if we could make them more effective? I’ve seen the typical meeting: people sharing updates, waiting for their turn, and a lot of time lost in long monologues. It often feels more like a series of 1-on-1 check-ins than a true team gathering.

Here’s a fresh approach I’ve been using for years. Instead of starting with endless updates, I kick off with an icebreaker—just a quick question to help everyone get to know each other, especially in remote teams. Then, I keep the agenda open—encouraging team members to add topics or issues they want to discuss. This shifts the focus from top-down reporting to collaborative problem-solving.

And don’t forget notes! I use AI tools to capture key points, which helps keep everyone engaged and ensures no ideas slip through the cracks. So next time, try turning your staff meetings into a space for connection and collaboration—and watch your team thrive. Thanks for listening!