"I'm Bad at Meetings"

An executive I work with, who leads global communications at a fast-growing tech company, told me something surprising last week:

“I’m bad at meetings.”

In my experience, he’s the opposite. Easy to talk to. Well-liked. Really sharp.

So I asked him what he meant.

He said, “One-on-one, I’m great. But in a large group, there are too many people to read.”

That’s when I understood his comment.

His challenge isn’t communication. It’s communication at scale.

And that’s exactly what this week’s newsletter is about.

Most people think they’re bad at meetings because they “don’t speak up enough” or “they explain things poorly.”

That’s not the real problem.

The real problem is the environment.

Today’s meetings are built in a way that makes clear communication harder.

Research shows that 71% of meetings are considered unproductive, and up to one-third are unnecessary.

So you walk into a room where attention is already fragmented.

Common mistake:
In large groups, your brain can get overwhelmed trying to to track individual reactions, and whose in charge, and if everyone is paying attention.

It’s too much. So isolate your focus.

Try this instead:
Pick one person, either the decision-maker or the most engaged listener, and speak directly to them. Let everyone else listen in.

Why it works:
It will calm your delivery, and make you sound more natural. We are giving your message a clear target.

Common mistake:
Most people try to say everything, as if they are proving something.

But in a distracted room, more information doesn’t help. It gets lost.

Try this instead:
Before you speak, ask yourself:
“What’s the one thing I want them to remember?”

Say that first, support it with one example, then stop.

If there are more questions, you know you’ve cut through the attention issues.

In your response, strive to answer with the same brevity.

Why it works:
While people don’t remember everything, they will remember what is clear and concise.

If my newsletter has ever helped you, there’s probably someone in your world who it might help too. Please share it with them.

Common mistake:
Unless you’re called on, the perfect moment to speak in large meetings rarely comes.

So you stay quiet, even when you have something useful to add.

Try this instead:
When you have a clear point, use a simple entry:

Why it works:
This gives you a clean way in when you have something relevant to say.

In most meetings, one strong contribution is worth more than five forgettable ones.

If you’re preparing for a high-stakes meeting, a media moment, or you need a speaker for a company event, reach out: [email protected]

Now this week’s laugh: