90% of people describe their meetings as unproductive, and yet they spent one third to one half of their time in them! In this episode, we talk to Chris Fenning who recently published a book titled "Effective Meetings: Great Results. Less Pain. Every Time." We explore how to make meetings more productive, or how they can be replaced by something more productive and less time consuming. Learn more about Chris at www.ChrisFenning.com

Takeaways

Effective communication is crucial in STEM leadership.

Frameworks can help engineers communicate more clearly.

Understanding the audience's intent is key to effective conversations.

Meetings should have a clear purpose and output.

Avoid unnecessary meetings to improve productivity.

Meeting-free days can significantly boost team efficiency.

Identify the right participants for each meeting.

Clear meeting invitations enhance engagement and relevance.

Virtual meetings have increased but can lead to disengagement.

Pausing before speaking can improve communication quality.

Chapters

02:03 Frameworks for Clear and Concise Communication

08:21 Understanding Intent and Audience in Conversations

13:44 The Importance of Effective Meetings

19:25 When to Hold a Meeting: Key Considerations

22:54 The Impact of Meeting-Free Days on Productivity

28:47 Identifying the Right Participants for Meetings

32:28 Avoiding Unnecessary Meeting Invitations

37:34 The Rise of Virtual Meetings and Their Challenges

44:20 Conclusion and Key Takeaway on Communication