Meetings are meant to be productive, yet many are hurt by annoying meeting behaviors. You may know how they can become exercises in frustration.
Recently, I asked my LinkedIn followers, “What’s the most annoying thing someone can do during a meeting?” The results highlight some of the biggest threats to your meeting productivity. They are important things for smart leaders to consider.
Let’s break down the biggest meeting annoyances, why they hurt, and how to fix them:
Talk but Say Nothing (29%)
We’ve all been there: Someone keeps talking, but they’re not actually saying anything useful. They may use a lot of words, but they’re not moving the conversation forward. This kind of communication wastes time, confuses the group, and derails action steps.
Solution: Before you speak, make sure you have a clear point. If you’re providing an update or sharing an idea, be concise. Think about what the group needs to hear, not how much airtime you can fill. A good rule: If you can say it in 30 seconds, don’t stretch it to five minutes.
Also, it’s important that you’re likely not paid by the word. Don’t feel you have to speak to justify your job.
Constantly Interrupt (27%)
Interruptions disrupt the flow of a meeting. They show disrespect, cause people to lose their train of thought, and create a chaotic environment. When everyone feels like they have to fight to be heard, creativity, and collaboration suffer.
Solution: Practice active listening. Let people finish their thoughts before you jump in. If you think of something important while someone else is speaking, write it down. That way, you’ll remember it when it’s your turn without cutting someone off.
While it’s okay to have enthusiasm to speak, you don’t want to create bad blood with others.
Keep Multitasking Visibly (24%)
When people are checking emails or texting during a meeting, it’s obvious and it’s distracting. It sends a message that the meeting (and the people in it) aren’t worth their full attention. Productivity drops when people are mentally checked out.
Solution: Model good behavior by staying engaged. Put devices away unless they’re needed for the meeting. Leaders can set expectations upfront by saying, “Let’s give this meeting our full attention so we can keep it short and productive.” It’s amazing how much quicker meetings go when people are truly focused.
Also, think of your attention like a gift that you are giving the attendees.
Show Up Late (19%)
Starting a meeting late, or having people trickle in, wastes time and drains momentum. It also shows a lack of respect for everyone else’s schedule. Late starts mean rushed discussions, incomplete agendas, and more follow-up meetings later.
Solution: Respect the clock. If you’re leading the meeting, start on time, even if some people aren’t there yet. This sets a standard that being punctual matters. For attendees, aim to join a few minutes early to handle any tech issues or last-minute prep.
Why Fixing Annoying Meeting Behaviors Matters
When meetings are full of interruptions, rambling, multitasking, and late arrivals, productivity takes a nosedive. People get frustrated, important ideas are missed, and decisions take longer to make.
By addressing these annoying meeting behaviors, you can turn meetings back into what they’re supposed to be: a valuable use of everyone’s time. If you’re not careful, all people will remember from the sessions are these annoying meeting behaviors.
Leaders who want to foster better meetings may want to also focus on maintaining higher standards, which create a culture where respect for time and contributions is the norm.
Meetings don’t have to be a dreaded part of the workday. With a few small changes, they can be a place where collaboration thrives, problems are solved, and everyone leaves feeling like their time was well spent.
Let’s Create a Memorable Meeting
