Let’s be real—most status update meetings are a waste of time. You sit there as everyone takes turns giving updates, half-listening because your turn is coming up, only to walk away without any real action items. Sound familiar?
Meetings should be about making decisions, solving problems, and moving work forward. But too often, they’re just a recap of what’s already been done. If that’s the case, why even meet?
Here’s how to turn those pointless check-ins into action-packed, productive discussions that actually deserve a spot on your calendar.
The Problem with Status Update Meetings
Status updates aren’t inherently bad—they just shouldn’t be the main focus of a meeting. Research shows that many teams spend 30% or more of their workweek in meetings that don’t actually move projects forward.
Here’s why they don’t work:
- They’re just info dumps. Most updates could be shared via Slack, a quick email, or a project management tool—no need for a live audience.
- They waste time. The average employee spends 31 hours a month in unproductive meetings.
- They kill engagement. Over 70% of employees say that meetings prevent them from completing their work.
If you’re spending hours in meetings just to hear what’s already happened, you’re wasting valuable time that could be spent on deep, meaningful work.
How to Fix It: Make Meetings About Action
Instead of just reciting what’s been done, meetings should focus on solving problems, making decisions, and getting things unstuck. Here’s how:
1. Ditch the Live Status Updates—Go Asynchronous
Before the meeting, have everyone drop their updates in Slack, Notion, or a shared doc. This way, people can review them ahead of time, and the meeting can focus on next steps rather than just reporting back.
Why it works: Companies that switched to async updates saw meetings shrink by 40% while still keeping everyone informed.
2. Use Meetings for Decisions, Not Just Talk
Skip the “going around the room” routine and start with the biggest blockers. Ask:
- What problems need to be solved?
- What decisions need to be made?
- What action items should come out of this?
Why it works: Shifting meetings to decision-making improves engagement and reduces unnecessary follow-ups by 35%.
3. Set a Clear Agenda (and Stick to It)
Every meeting should have:
- A purpose – Why are we here?
- A goal – What needs to be decided or solved?
- A time limit – No more hour-long status updates.
If a topic doesn’t require discussion, handle it asynchronously.
Why it works: Teams that set strict meeting agendas save 10+ hours per week.
4. Stop Holding Meetings Just Because “It’s Monday”
Recurring check-ins can be useful, but if there’s nothing urgent to discuss, cancel the meeting.
If a quick written update will do, skip the meeting—your team will thank you.
Why it works: Companies that cut unnecessary meetings saw employees become 72% more productive and 55% less stressed.
5. Use Collaboration Tools Instead of Meetings
Instead of talking about work, track it where everyone can see it. Use:
- Trello, Asana, or ClickUp for task tracking
- Slack or Teams for quick updates
- Loom or recorded videos for context-sharing
Why it works: Companies that lean into digital collaboration see 40% fewer meetings and more time for deep work.
The Bottom Line: Make Meetings Worth It
Meetings should drive action, not just updates. Before scheduling one, ask yourself:
- Does this need to be a meeting? If not, send an async update.
- Is there a decision to be made? If not, cancel it.
- Can we solve this in under 15 minutes? If yes, keep it short and focused.
Teams that rethink their meetings get more done, feel less stressed, and free up time for real work. Give it a try—you might just find yourself with more time for what actually matters.
