Meetings That Get Results by Terrence Metz Summary

Meetings That Get Results provides a structured methodology for designing and leading productive meetings, emphasizing collaborative decision-making, conflict management, and actionable outcomes. Terrence Metz, an expert facilitator, introduces tools like the FAST technique, PowerBalls, and quantitative SWOT analysis to streamline agendas, foster ownership among participants, and reduce time wasted in unproductive sessions.

This book is ideal for managers, team leaders, and facilitators who oversee frequent meetings. It’s particularly valuable for professionals in roles requiring consensus-building, such as project managers, HR directors, or executives seeking to improve organizational alignment. The strategies apply to both in-person and virtual settings.

Yes. Reviews highlight its practicality, with actionable frameworks like agenda design and conflict resolution techniques that measurably improve meeting efficiency. Professionals report fewer follow-up meetings and clearer action plans after implementing Metz’s methods.

Core ideas include:

• FAST Facilitative Leadership: A structured approach to align discussions with organizational goals.
• PowerBalls: A prioritization tool to rank ideas objectively.
• Quantitative SWOT: A data-driven method to evaluate strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Metz advocates for managed conflict to generate diverse perspectives, arguing that groups with more options make higher-quality decisions. His techniques include rhetorical precision (clear phrasing of questions) and holism (keeping discussions aligned with deliverables).

Metz offers:

• Step-by-step agendas to avoid scope creep.
• Time management strategies (e.g., setting strict time limits).
• Methods to transfer ownership of decisions to participants, reducing post-meeting confusion.

The book’s proprietary tools include:

• PowerBalls: Enables groups to rank ideas without bias.
• FAST Decision-Making: Combines agenda design with facilitation techniques to maintain focus.
• Holistic Alignment: Ensures discussions remain tied to organizational objectives.

While Brian Tracy’s book focuses on general meeting efficiency (e.g., time management, seating arrangements), Metz’s work delves deeper into facilitation tools and structured decision-making processes. Metz’s approach is more tactical for complex, cross-functional teams.

Some readers note the book assumes a baseline familiarity with facilitation concepts, which may overwhelm newcomers. Others suggest expanding case studies for remote meeting applications.

With hybrid work models prevalent, Metz’s emphasis on virtual collaboration and clear action plans addresses modern challenges like disengagement and miscommunication. His tools help teams adapt to rapid organizational changes.

Metz has trained over 300 classes and developed curricula for Fortune 1000 companies. He holds an MBA from Northwestern University and designed the FAST technique while serving as a Six Sigma Green Belt® at Motorola.

• “Profitability in meetings comes from precision, not charisma.”
• “Conflict, when managed, becomes the engine of innovation.”

These emphasize Metz’s focus on substance over style and constructive disagreement.

The book teaches groups to:

1. Prioritize high-quality information over opinions.
2. Use structured frameworks to evaluate options.
3. Assign clear accountability for post-meeting tasks.

Pair with:

• The Surprising Science of Meetings by Steven G. Rogelberg (data-driven insights).
• Read This Before Our Next Meeting by Al Pittampalli (anti-waste strategies).
• Brian Tracy’s Meetings That Get Results (time management basics).