We don’t need a formal agenda for every meeting, this kill the free flow of ideas and creativity.

There is a common belief that meetings flow better without agendas and that putting structure in place kills creativity. The reality is the opposite. A clear agenda does not stop ideas; it gives them a place to land. In this episode I bust the myth that agendas are restrictive and explain why they are the foundation of good meetings.

I share examples of when meetings are essential, such as stakeholder sign-offs, kicking off projects, and creative brainstorms, and show how agendas help keep those conversations on track. I also look at the other side of the coin, the bad meetings that eat into time, drain energy, and cost businesses money. Without structure, meetings become repetitive “catch ups” that could have been an email or a Slack update.

This episode also covers smart meetings: using the right tools and approaches to get the most value. From async updates across time zones, to AI note takers like Google Gemini and Otter.ai, to calculating the real cost of meetings with browser extensions, I explain how to make every minute count. Smart meetings are about purpose, outcomes, and clarity.

Meetings will always be part of business, but they do not have to be a drain. With simple agendas, clear notes, and the right boundaries, meetings can shift from wasted time to powerful opportunities for alignment, creativity, and progress.