Three Meeting Mistakes Holding Leaders Back—and How to Fix Them

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Meetings take up 40% of an executive’s time (PwC CEO Survey), yet so often they fail to deliver results. I’ve seen it time and again in my work with leaders—frustrating discussions, disengaged teams, and wasted hours. Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to fall into common traps that derail productivity and momentum.

The good news? These mistakes are simple to fix.

Here are three meeting mistakes leaders make—and how to turn them around.

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1. Asking Questions, Then Immediately Giving your Answer

Have you ever started a meeting by asking, “What do you think about this?” only to follow up with your own opinion moments later? While it feels like you’re guiding the team, this approach can stifle creativity and critical thinking.

When leaders ask a question and immediately provide their own answer, it sends an unintentional signal: I’ve already made up my mind. This discourages your team from speaking up and limits the range of ideas on the table.

Instead, ask your question and pause. Let the silence linger—it gives your team space to think and respond. The best ideas often come when you allow your team to take ownership of the conversation.

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2. Setting Vague Objectives

A meeting without a clear purpose is a productivity killer. I once worked with a leader who wanted her meetings to be collaborative problem-solving sessions, but her agendas were often too broad, leading to meandering conversations and frustrated participants.

For example, instead of discussing “AI strategy,” narrow the focus to a specific outcome, like “Identify three opportunities where we can leverage AI in the next quarter.” When everyone understands the goal, the discussion stays focused, and the team leaves with actionable results.

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3. Ignoring Signs of Disengagement

Engagement isn’t always verbal. Whether in person or virtual, your team’s body language and participation levels can tell you a lot about how the meeting is landing.

In in-person meetings, disengagement might look like crossed arms, minimal eye contact, or side conversations. In virtual settings, where body language is harder to read, you might notice silence, multitasking, or cameras turned off. These are signs that your meeting isn’t resonating.

As a leader, it’s your job to re-engage the group. Ask for feedback, clarify points of confusion, or switch up the format to bring the team back into the discussion. A simple question like, “What’s one thing we haven’t addressed yet?” can make a big difference.

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The Takeaway

Meetings reflect your leadership. Done poorly, they waste time and drain energy. Done well, they inspire progress, collaboration, and results. By avoiding these three mistakes—overstepping your team’s input, failing to set clear objectives, and ignoring engagement—you can transform your meetings into one of your greatest leadership tools.

What’s one small change you’ll make in your next meeting to drive better outcomes?

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Ready to Lead Smarter?

Meetings are just one part of great leadership. If you’re ready to elevate your skills, explore my Leadership Toolkit. You’ll find strategies like prioritization frameworks and agenda templates designed to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and impact.

Read widely, learn deeply, be On Point.

Joselle
joselle@berightonpoint.com

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