HBR Guides to Being an Effective Manager Collection (5 Books) (HBR Guide Series)

CHAPTER 20

When Your Boss Is Terrible at Leading Meetings

by Paul Axtell

If you think your boss is ineffective at leading meetings, you’re not alone. Few managers have mastered the art of meetings, and even fewer organizations have made it a priority. Add to that the fact that leaders are busy—and often don’t have the time to adequately prepare—and you’ve got a recipe for ineffective meetings. The question is, what can you do about it?

Three broad perspectives are available to you in every meeting:

1. You can offer to do things to support your boss in preparing, leading, and following up after the meeting.
2. You have the right to ask for whatever you need to be effective in the meeting.
3. You can choose to be responsible for the experience of other ...