Most teams don’t actually have a meeting problem, they have a purpose problem. When meetings feel like a drag, it’s almost always because the leader didn’t define the outcome clearly enough. High‑performing teams treat meetings like strategic tools, not recurring calendar events. And when you shift your mindset from “we meet because we always meet” to “we meet because there’s value to create,” everything changes. 1. Meetings Need a Purpose, Not a Placeholder The most effective leaders ask one question before scheduling anything: “What decision, alignment, or insight will this meeting produce?” If the answer is fuzzy, the meeting shouldn’t exist. 2. Preparation Is the Real Productivity Hack Most meeting dysfunction happens before anyone joins the call. Great leaders: - Share context early - Clarify roles (owner, contributors, decision‑makers) - Define what “done” looks like - Keep the agenda tight and outcome‑focused Preparation isn’t bureaucracy, it’s respect for people’s time. 3. The Leader Sets the Tone A meeting is a micro‑culture. If the leader is scattered, the team is scattered. If the leader is intentional, the team becomes intentional. Small behaviors matter: - Start on time - End on time - Summarize decisions - Assign owners and deadlines - Capture next steps in writing These rituals build trust and predictability, the foundation of psychological safety. 4. The Best Meetings Are Shorter Than You Think When the purpose is clear and the prep is done, meetings shrink naturally. People talk less, decide faster, and leave knowing exactly what to do next. 5. The Real Goal: Fewer Meetings, Better Outcomes The point isn’t to run more meetings, it's to run meaningful ones. When you design meetings around value creation, your team becomes sharper, faster, and more aligned. Here's a great resource if you want more on the same topic: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-an-effective-meeting

👋 Hey everyone, I just read a Harvard Business article that really hit home: Why Psychological Safety Is the Hidden Engine Behind Innovation and Transformation. The big idea? Teams innovate faster when leaders create environments where people feel safe to speak up, experiment, and even fail without fear of blame. It’s not about being “soft” it’s about building trust so the team can take risks that lead to breakthroughs. A few highlights I found powerful: - Leaders who frame work as learning opportunities unlock more creativity. - Inviting participation from every voice prevents blind spots. - Responding productively to feedback builds resilience and momentum. 💡 I’d love to hear from you: what’s one leadership habit you’ve seen (or practiced yourself) that made it easier for a team to take risks and grow? And here's the link if you're interested: https://www.harvardbusiness.org/insight/why-psychological-safety-is-the-hidden-engine-behind-innovation-and-transformation/

A few weeks ago, I got to meet up with Josh — one of our community members — for dinner and a long chat. We talked about the future of this space, how to help more people grow, and what’s going on in our personal lives. Josh is leading a team right now, and shared a story that stuck with me: One of his team members was constantly second-guessing themselves, asking for reassurance before making any decisions. Instead of pushing them to “just be confident,” Josh leaned in. He started working with them one-on-one, building trust and helping them grow into their own decision-making. Now they operate with way more autonomy — and when they do ask questions, it’s from a place of strength, not fear. We also swapped notes on networking (Josh’s current challenge), and chatted about CCNA/CCNP resources. But honestly, what I appreciated most was just… talking. It reminded me why I host Coffee Hour every Saturday. Not everything has to be high-stakes or business-oriented. Sometimes the best growth comes from casual conversations, shared stories, and a little laughter over dinner. If you’ve had a moment like that recently — a conversation that helped you zoom out or reconnect — I’d love to hear it.

Hello everyone I'm Benjamin, I'm new here looking forward to learn and connect with new people