Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is renowned for his unconventional approach to meetings. He is said to have a rather unique approach to meetings: a blend of structured preparation and unstructured discussion. His six-page memos, circulated before meetings, provide a solid foundation. However, the real magic happens when participants dive into a free-flowing conversation, unconstrained by rigid agendas. The former Amazon CEO talked about how he maximizes meeting productivity at the New York Times DealBook Summit recently.
Jeff Bezos wants his meetings to be messy
Bezos believes that this “messy” approach, characterized by wandering topics and divergent ideas, is crucial for innovation. By encouraging everyone to speak their mind, regardless of seniority, he fosters a culture of open dialogue and creative thinking.
“I like the meetings to wander,” Bezos said. “The only meeting I’m ever on time for is my first meeting, because I won’t finish a meeting until I’m really finished.”
While Bezos champions the benefits of unstructured discussions, he acknowledges that not all meetings should be chaotic. Structured meetings, like weekly business reviews or product launches, require a more formal approach.
Jeff Bezos: Meetings are not only about productivity
Beyond productivity, Bezos emphasizes the importance of human connection in meetings. He believes that candid conversations, even about difficult topics, can strengthen relationships and boost morale.
Bezos said, noting that he makes an effort to speak candidly about changes that are needed or when he feels scared about the company’s ability to successfully deliver on a project. Yet he added that while it’s fine to express negative emotions, an optimistic outlook is a must for leaders, especially entrepreneurs.
“I don’t know how some glum, Eeyore-type founder could ever lead a company to success,” he said. “You’ve got to have some energy, and it’s got to be a little contagious. There’s going to be a lot of bad days, [so] you’ve got to lift people up.”