(Real Talk About Why So Many Meetings Fail)

When in Doubt, Schedule a Meeting

Does this sound familiar?
Something feels off — results are slipping, communication feels scattered, and no one’s quite sure why. So, more meetings get scheduled. The intent is good: uncover what’s wrong, get everyone “on the same page,” and fix what’s not working.

But here’s the twist — this happens even when things are going well.
In an effort to keep momentum, or sometimes out of insecurity, leaders schedule more meetings. Without a real agenda or clear purpose, those check-ins often turn into noise — an endless series of gatherings meant to reassure, not to advance.

The real issue isn’t a lack of meetings; it’s a lack of clarity.
Clarity of purpose — knowing exactly what the organization is trying to achieve.
And clarity of process — having defined ways to make decisions, share information, and structure discussions.

Without that foundation, meetings become an attempt to create order from chaos — gatherings fueled by good intentions but lacking the framework to drive real progress.

Because here’s the truth: meetings don’t fix misalignment. Clarity creates alignment.

The Truth About Meetings

I’m not anti-meeting. Far from it.
Meetings are required to run a successful company — they’re essential to maintaining alignment. But they only work when they’re productive, purposeful, and respectful of people’s time.

The purpose of a meeting is simple:

• Exchange information that matters

• Update participants so they can move forward

• Make decisions that unblock progress

If a meeting doesn’t do one of those three things — cancel it.

Organizations with a clear and compelling vision are over four times more likely to be “healthy” and aligned than those without one.
— McKinsey & Company, 2023

When people understand the bigger picture, meetings stop being about status updates and start being about progress.

The Real Problem

Some leaders confuse motion with progress.
They think the more meetings they hold, the more control or collaboration they have. But what actually happens is the opposite — people become disengaged. They attend because they have to, not because they can contribute.

And when people stop contributing, alignment slips.

Meetings should never be a catch-all for every topic, department, or idea.
They should be laser-focused — the right people, the right agenda, the right outcome.

“The productivity of a work group depends on how the group members see their own goals in relation to the goals of the organization.”
— Ken Blanchard

What Productive Meetings Look Like

A productive meeting has structure and expectation. Everyone understands that:

• They must come prepared — not just to listen, but to contribute.

• There’s a defined agenda — not a laundry list of open issues.

• There’s a built-in alignment check — someone asks, “Is anyone experiencing alignment drift?”

• Every topic ties back to purpose — “Do the things we’re covering support our Corporate Alignment Policy?”

These are techniques straight from the Mastering Business Alignment™ course.
They ensure that meetings do what they’re meant to do: support clarity, accountability, and forward motion.

When meetings are run this way, something changes.
People feel included, informed, and engaged.
They walk out knowing what’s next — not wondering why they were there.

Clarity Over Chaos

Here’s the key: meetings don’t create alignment — clarity does.
Meetings are just a way to reinforce it.

If the organization lacks clarity — on goals, roles, priorities, or accountability — no amount of meetings will fix it. You’ll just keep revisiting the same topics with new slides and less enthusiasm.

When you focus on clarity first, meetings become shorter, sharper, and more effective.
People show up engaged because they know why they’re there and how it connects to results.

Companies with aligned employees are 22% more likely to hit their financial targets and 21% more likely to retain customers than those with low alignment.
— Okoone, 2024

Alignment isn’t just cultural — it’s measurable business performance.

When clarity drives alignment, you’ll see it immediately — morale rises, results follow, and alignment becomes self-sustaining.

Bottom Line

You don’t fix misalignment by adding meetings.
You fix it by leading with clarity — and running meetings that support it.

That’s what the Mastering Business Alignment™ course is all about — teaching leaders to create environments where clarity drives every decision and every meeting serves a purpose.

Powered by MBAAT™ (Mastering Business Alignment Assessment Tool), you can measure alignment in real time and see exactly where your teams are drifting — before it costs you momentum.