Meetings Suck by Cameron Herold Summary

Meetings Suck by Cameron Herold offers actionable strategies to transform unproductive meetings into efficient, results-driven sessions. The book argues that meetings themselves aren’t the problem—poor execution is—and provides step-by-step systems for optimizing agendas, fostering engagement, and reducing wasted time. Key themes include punctuality, daily huddles, opt-out policies for irrelevant meetings, and progress tracking to align teams.

This book is ideal for leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs seeking to improve workplace productivity. It’s particularly valuable for those frustrated by time-consuming, ineffective meetings and aiming to build a culture of accountability. Small business owners will benefit from its focus on establishing meeting frameworks early to scale efficiently.

Yes—readers praise its concise, practical advice for saving thousands of dollars annually by streamlining meetings. Reviewers highlight actionable techniques like structured agendas, time limits, and energy-boosting huddles, calling it a "must-read" for leaders. The book’s direct approach (short chapters, no fluff) makes it a quick yet impactful read.

Core principles include:

• Start on time to respect schedules and set discipline.
• Allow opt-outs to ensure only relevant attendees participate.
• Daily huddles for quick, high-energy updates.
• Clear agendas distributed in advance to focus discussions.
• Follow-up systems to track action items and accountability.

Herold advocates for daily 15-minute "huddles" to maintain momentum. These meetings focus on quick wins, blockers, and priorities, avoiding deep dives. Standing meetings and time limits are recommended to keep energy high, while opt-out options reduce attendee fatigue.

Yes—the book estimates companies waste thousands yearly on inefficient meetings. By enforcing punctuality, trimming attendee lists, and using focused agendas, teams reclaim hours and cut costs. For example, a 10-person meeting starting 5 minutes late wastes 50 minutes of paid time daily.

Herold insists agendas must be shared 24+ hours in advance, listing clear objectives and time allocations per topic. This ensures preparedness and prevents tangential discussions. Agendas should also designate a facilitator to maintain focus and a note-taker for follow-ups.

Unlike broader productivity guides, Meetings Suck zeroes in on meeting culture with tactical fixes rather than vague theories. It’s often paired with Atomic Habits for behavioral change but stands out for its niche focus on transforming a single pain point into a growth lever.

Some readers note the book’s brevity (under 200 pages) may lack depth for complex organizations. However, most praise its conciseness as a strength, offering no-nonsense solutions without filler. Critics also highlight that implementing its systems requires consistent leadership buy-in.

While not explicitly focused on remote work, its principles apply universally: agendas, time limits, and opt-outs remain critical. The book’s emphasis on brevity and preparation aligns with hybrid teams’ needs to minimize Zoom fatigue and maximize asynchronous collaboration.

With businesses prioritizing efficiency post-pandemic, the book’s strategies help teams navigate shorter attention spans and distributed workforces. Its focus on reducing wasted time aligns with trends like AI-driven scheduling and productivity analytics, making it a timely resource.

“Meetings don’t suck—we suck at running meetings.” This line encapsulates Herold’s thesis: blaming meetings is counterproductive; refining their structure unlocks their potential as tools for alignment and growth.