Aaron De Smet, Gregor Jost and Leigh Weiss write about the challenge of productive meetings. Their topic is leader focused. In determining if a meeting is necessary, much of their guidance applies to ALL staff.
Meetings should not be held unless leaders can affirm that they are necessary, define their purpose and ascertain the role of all participants.
Source: McKinsey and Company, May 2019. Link. Structured agenda clarifies decisions to be made, discussion topics or clarifies topics for information sharing.
Also see: Respond with respect, even when an idea is bad, Leadership Freak, May 10, 2019. Link.
INSIGHTS: No agenda, no meeting! The best salespersons will present an agenda on every call and then ask for any items that the customer wishes to include in the sales call (meeting).