How to Turn an Ineffective Meeting Culture into Powerful Collaboration
Meetings. They have the potential to bring out the best in a team — or the exact opposite. Ever feel like you spend more time talking about work than actually doing it? Then you might be stuck in an ineffective meeting culture. The good news? You can change that. In this blog, you’ll discover how to shift your company’s meeting habits from draining to energising.
What is meeting culture, exactly?
A company’s meeting culture is the unwritten code that shapes how meetings are run. It shows up in how often people meet, how long meetings take, who speaks up, how decisions are made — and whether people feel free to contribute.
A healthy meeting culture is purposeful, productive, and well-prepared. An unhealthy one? Mostly… excessive. And exhausting.
Why does meeting culture matter?
Because meetings reflect how people work together. And if they don’t work well, neither does your team. A poor meeting culture impacts:
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Productivity – Endless meetings leave little time for actual work.
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Engagement – When meetings feel like a waste of time, energy drops.
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Decision-making – When the same voices dominate, ideas are lost.
You can’t improve your meeting culture if you don’t first become aware of it.
Signs your meeting culture needs attention
Do any of these sound familiar?
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No agenda, no clear purpose
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Laptops open, half the room answering emails
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Meetings run too long or go off-topic
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Real conversations happen after the meeting
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No decisions — or decisions made elsewhere
These are classic symptoms of a meeting culture that needs a reset.
Leadership sets the tone
Improving your meeting culture starts at the top. Leaders who run sharp, open, and intentional meetings create space for others to do the same. And organisational culture plays a role too: do you welcome new ideas, or stick to ‘how we’ve always done it’?
When meetings are seen as a formality, they become a time drain. But when they’re used to drive progress, they can power real connection and collaboration.
Tips to improve your meeting culture
- Take a critical look
Does this meeting need to happen? Does everyone need to be there? Less is often more. - Set structure and purpose
Use an agenda, stick to time, follow up with key takeaways. - Make space for every voice
Appoint a facilitator if needed — and invite quieter team members to share. - Keep it short
Nobody benefits from two-hour meetings. Keep it short and to the point. - Change the environment
A fresh space helps shift perspective. Stepping away from the usual setting can break old habits.
Make meetings meaningful again
A strong meeting culture isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. It leads to better decisions, more creativity, and stronger teams. So whether you’re leading the charge or just tired of unproductive calls, small changes can spark big results.
And sometimes, the shift starts by stepping outside the office. At Meet Tuesday, we offer inspiring spaces on the 23rd floor — perfect for teams who want to rethink how they meet. Because with the right setting, meetings become more than just meetings. They become momentum.