From Memos to Open Dialogue: Unpacking the Genius Behind Jeff Bezos' Meeting Philosophy

67% of meetings are considered unproductive.

Study the most successful CEO and transform your meetings today:

Jeff Bezos is one of the most successful leaders of our time. Overseeing more than 1.5 million employees as of 2024. This begs the question. How does the busiest CEO manage his time?

Bezos has generously shared his insights on conducting productive meetings. Embrace Bezos's principles for effective meeting management today.

Jeff Bezos has a distinct approach to running effective meetings at Amazon and Blue Origin.

The key elements of his meeting philosophy are:

No PowerPoint Presentations: Bezos strongly dislikes the use of PowerPoint slides in meetings. Instead, he prefers a detailed, narrative-style memo that is typically 6 pages long. This memo is carefully crafted to present the key points and ideas in a clear, structured manner.

Dedicated Reading Time: At the start of the meeting, all attendees spend around 30 minutes silently reading and reviewing the pre-circulated memo. This ensures everyone is on the same page before the discussion begins.

Open-Ended Discussions: After the reading period, the meeting transitions into an open-ended discussion where Bezos encourages debate and the airing of diverse perspectives. He believes that "conflicts at times lead to interesting outcomes" and values the pursuit of truth over compromise.

Small Team Size: Bezos adheres to the "two-pizza team" rule, where the meeting group is limited to the number of people that can be fed by two pizzas. This helps keep the discussions focused and productive by limiting the number of participants.

Now you know the rules here’s how to use them. Implement them through these actionable tips:

1. Keep it small

? Only invite those who must attend.

? Leave out any spectators or unnecessary tag along.

2. Write a detailed memo

? Craft a structured, 6-page memo that argues your position.

? Don’t be lazy and go into detail. (Bullet points are banned !)

3. Begin with "study hall"

? Your goal is to make sure everyone is on the same page.

? Spend the first section of the meeting reading the memo in silence.

4. Dive into a messy discussion

? Don't hold back on debate and tough questions.

? Ask questions to help you understand and gain clarity.

5. Finish with action items

? End every meeting by giving clear next steps to your team.

? Ensure tasks are assigned to individuals and have deadlines.

Empowering Junior Voices
To ensure all perspectives are heard, Bezos often has the most junior team members present their ideas first, before the more senior members share their views. This helps create an environment where everyone feels comfortable contributing.        

In summary, Bezos' approach to meetings prioritizes thorough preparation, open dialogue, and valuing diverse perspectives to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within his teams.

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