Bonus Episode: How to Make Meetings More Effective

In this week’s bonus episode, Aoife O’Brien reflects on her conversation with Mamie Kanfer Stewart all about meetings: Why so many of them fail, what that says about our leadership and culture, and how to start designing them with intention. If you've ever sat through a meeting thinking "I could be doing actual work right now," this one's for you.

Here are the key takeaways:

• Bad meetings are a leadership problem, not just a time problem.
• Meetings teach people about culture.
• Every meeting needs a desired outcome.
• Design around decisions, ownership, and next steps.
• Question every recurring meeting.
• Invite the right people, not everyone.
• Being busy is not the same as being useful.

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• YouTube

Connect with Mamie Kanfer Stewart | Founder of Meeteor, Author & Podcast Host:

• Podcast
• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Related Episodes You’ll Love:

Episode 259: How to make one-to-one meetings count at work

About Happier at Work

Happier at Work is the podcast for business leaders who want to create meaningful, human-centric workplaces. Hosted by Aoife O’Brien, the show explores leadership, career clarity, imposter syndrome, workplace culture, and employee engagement — helping you and your team thrive.

If you enjoy podcasts like WorkLife with Adam Grant, The Happiness Lab, or Squiggly Careers, you’ll love Happier at Work.

Join Aoife O’Brien for weekly insights on leadership, workplace culture, career clarity, imposter syndrome, and creating work that works for you.

Editing by Amanda Fitzgerald.

Website: https://happieratwork.ie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HappierAtWorkHQ

Mentioned in this episode:

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