What Bad Meetings Tell Us about Employee Burnout Culture

Meetings are meant to bring teams together, encourage collaboration, and drive progress. Yet, for many employees, they are the bane of their existence, draining their time and energy with little to show for it. In fact, according to a survey by Harvard Business Review, 65% say meetings keep them from completing their own work, and 71% believe them to be unproductive and inefficient.

While we may dismiss bad meetings as just a minor annoyance, they can actually be indicative of a larger issue within the workplace — employee burnout.

Burnout isn’t just a buzzy word being tossed around from your latest LinkedIn “influencer.” It’s a very real and prevalent issue that affects not only the individual but also the company as a whole.

So, what exactly do bad meetings have to do with employee burnout culture? In this article, I’ll explore the connection between the two and how companies can use meetings to improve employee well-being and overall productivity.

The Connection Between Bad Meetings and Burnout

At first glance, it may seem like there is no direct link between bad meetings and employee burnout. After all, meetings are just one small part of the team members’ day, right? How could they have such a significant impact on their well-being?

But when we dig deeper, it becomes clear that the effects of a bad meeting can have a ripple effect on an employee’s overall work experience. Here are a few reasons why:

Time and Energy Drain

There’s only so much time in a workday, and when bad meetings take up a significant portion of it, employees may feel like they are constantly playing catch-up. Meeting participants may feel pressured to rush through their tasks or work late to make up for the lost time. This can quickly drain their energy and lead to burnout.

Not only that, but a bad meeting can also be emotionally draining. When employees are forced to sit through meetings without a clear agenda or purpose, it can be frustrating and demotivating. It may also cause tension and conflict between team members and the meeting leader, leading to a toxic work environment. All of these factors can contribute to higher levels of stress, ultimately leading to employee burnout.

Lack of Autonomy

One of the main contributors to employee burnout is a lack of control over one’s work. When team members feel like they have no say in the decisions that affect their day-to-day responsibilities, it can lead to frustration and disengagement.

This lack of autonomy can certainly be seen in bad meetings, where employees often feel like passive participants rather than active contributors. They may be required to attend without having a clear understanding of why or what is expected of them. Or they may be expected to sit through long, unproductive sessions that could have been condensed into a quick email update. This lack of control over their time and priorities can quickly lead to burnout.

Poor Communication

Effective communication is crucial for a successful and productive workplace. However, a bad meeting often lacks clear and concise communication. Meeting participants may leave with different understandings of what was discussed and what their action items are.

This can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and even missed deadlines. Poor communication also sends a message that the meeting facilitator does not value the team’s time and input, which can damage morale.

Strategies for Building Productive Meetings and Reducing Burnout

Now that we understand the negative impact of bad meetings on employee burnout, let’s explore some strategies for building efficient and productive meetings: 

1. Set a Clear Purpose & Desired Outcomes in Your Agendas

   Having a clearly defined meeting agenda ensures that all participants are on the same page and understand what needs to be accomplished. It also gives team members a sense of purpose and control over their time.

2. Invite Relevant Participants

   Inviting only necessary participants to meetings can save time, reduce distractions, and ensure that everyone present has something valuable to contribute. This also shows respect for team members’ time and workload.k
   
   Not sure who you need to invite? Check out page 3 of our Meeting Planning Mastery Guide for some more guidance.

3. Limit Meeting Length & Stick to Schedule

   Setting a specific start and end time for meetings helps keep discussions focused and prevents them from running too long. This allows participants to better manage their time and avoid burnout.
   
   An easy way to keep track of time is to assign one attendee with the role of timekeeper. They should know how long certain sections of the agenda should last and help keep the group on track with timing. Something as simple as a time check in a virtual meeting chat or a signal in an in-person meeting can help keep the meeting moving forward with minimal disruptions.

4. Encourage Participation & Active Listening

   A good meeting should be a forum for open communication and collaboration, where all meeting participants are encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas. Facilitators should also actively listen to feedback and address any concerns raised by team members.
   
   Active listening examples:
   
   • Ask open-ended questions
   • Reflect concerns/feedback to ensure they are understood

5. Follow Up with Action Items & Deadlines

   Reserve 5-10 minutes at the end of each meeting to clearly outline action items and deadlines for each participant. Make sure that there is a specified due date for every action item and send out the list to all attendees after the meeting. This ensures that everyone knows what is expected of them and can hold themselves accountable for completing tasks on time.

Ready to Break Free from Boring Meetings?

If you’re not sure where to begin when it comes to improving the efficiency of your meetings, the team at Interaction Associates has you covered.

Our Essential Facilitation™ training provides practical tools and techniques for designing and leading effective meetings. Our skilled facilitators will guide you through interactive exercises and discussions to help you develop an action plan for your future meetings.

Don’t let unproductive meetings burn your team out. Learn more and register for our Essential Facilitation workshop today!