Study: Meetings Stifle Creativity, Inclusion

Yet another study from a meeting solution provider suggests that endless meetings are not conducive to increased productivity, and they can stifle creativity and inclusion.

That is according to hybrid workshop collaboration tool provider Klaxoon, which recently conducted a survey of more than 2,500 people from the U.S. and U.K that suggests the business world needs to think differently about meetings.

According to the survey results, 56% of respondents say meetings are run in a way that discourages creativity, and 44% say meetings aren’t inclusive of all participants.

In meetings that were either online or hybrid, 52% of respondents say outcomes are better when attendees have their camera on, while just 10% say outcomes are worse when everyone is visible.

Meanwhile, 57% say participants are more engaged when cameras are on.

The survey also looks at companies that institute a meeting-free period, of which 56% of respondents say they do. However, if those meeting-free periods are worth it is questionable, as just 37% say the policy is effective.

Some of those reasons include scheduling meetings during those periods anyway, outside organizations scheduling meetings during those periods and a lack of additional productivity during meeting-free periods.

The survey was conducted in partnership with Dr. Steven Rogelberg, a meeting expert, researcher and Chancellor’s professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“With the unprecedented use of virtual meetings since the start of the pandemic and the likelihood of increased hybrid meetings as the world finds a new normal, the survey suggests we must work much at improving interaction and efficiency – meeting derailers have not yet been solved,” Rogelberg says. “Enabling all attendees to be more active participants — regardless of geographic location — will be critical. Maybe it’s time to rethink the design of meetings with a focus to build for inclusion, creativity, maximum positive impact and draw inspiration from the most engaging formats we know, like workshops.”