How to End a Meeting That Should Have Been an Email
- Laurence Paquette
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Most of us have experienced it.
You join a meeting with good intentions.
But the topic drags. The purpose is unclear. The discussion circles back on itself.
Minutes turn into lost focus and quiet frustration.
And still, everyone stays.
Unproductive meetings are one of the most overlooked energy drains in corporate life.
They do not just waste time. They drain attention, reduce motivation, and slowly erode trust.
What many people do not realize is that ending a meeting gracefully is a leadership skill.
One that does not require authority, hierarchy, or a job title.
It requires awareness.
When a meeting has served its purpose, or clearly lost it, stepping in is not rude.
It is an act of care for everyone in the room.
Sometimes leadership sounds like a simple sentence.
“It feels like we have covered the key points. Should we summarize next steps?”
Sometimes it sounds like respect for time.
“We are coming up on the end. What do we need to lock in before we close?”
And sometimes leadership is simply naming closure.
“It sounds like we are aligned. I will capture the notes and follow up by email.”
None of this is about control.
It is about clarity.
The best leaders understand that meetings shape culture.
When meetings are intentional, people show up engaged and present.
When they are not, people leave feeling frustrated and resentful.
Most bad meetings are not malicious. They are habitual.
A quick sync turns into an hour. Ten people lose focus because no one pauses to ask why they are still there.
Protecting time is not just a productivity practice.
It is a cultural one.
So the next time you find yourself in a meeting that should have been an email, remember this.
You are allowed to bring it to a close.
You are allowed to model a better way.
End with clarity.
End with kindness.
And do not be afraid to hit cancel a little more often.
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