If your meetings often leave you drained instead of energised, it’s time to rethink how you spend your time. From answering questions on the radio to creating short social media videos, I’ve learned one powerful rule: if you can summarise your message in one sentence, then expand on it, everything runs much smoother. Radio shows gave me 3–5 minutes per talk — sometimes a real challenge! Knowing the questions beforehand helped me prepare and communicate clearly. Making Instagram videos with just 3 minutes to talk reinforced the same lesson: short, focused, and to the point works best — and the same principle applies to meetings.
Some of the most effective meetings I’ve experienced were short, focused, and respectful of time:
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The principal who set the gold standard: During our very first meeting, she immediately got to work. Within 20 minutes, my coaching proposal was approved, workshop dates were set, individual coaching sessions scheduled, and my introductory presentation booked. I left buzzing, knowing no time would be wasted at her school.
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The coach who mastered the 10-minute call: She always promised to use only 10 minutes of my time — and she stuck to it. Every call was fast, focused, and productive. Knowing there was a strict limit meant we got straight to the heart of the matter, without drifting off-topic. The clarity and respect for time made me look forward to her calls.
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The Sales Director: Our first online call? Camera on for 5 seconds, quick hello, then straight to business. Initially, it felt almost overwhelming because it was so efficient! By our second meeting, I actually looked forward to it, knowing that we’d cover exactly what was needed without wasting time on unnecessary small talk.
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The client who loves direct communication: While he prefers talking to emailing, his calls are always to the point. I can count on these meetings to deliver clear outcomes.
How to Make Meetings More Efficient
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Summarise first: State the purpose of the meeting in one sentence, then expand.
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Keep them short: 10 minutes can be more productive than an hour-long call.
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Use emails when possible: Follow up with a short WhatsApp or call to indicate it’s waiting in their inbox.
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Prepare: Knowing questions or topics in advance saves time for everyone.
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Leverage tech: AI assistants can take notes for meetings, ensuring no details are lost.
Efficient meetings leave everyone clear, energised, and ready to act — exactly what coaching and business communication should be about.
