The work that happens inside the meetings is dependent on what happens outside of the meetings, and vice versa. A great meeting can create enthusiasm and excitement that fuels teams to do their best work. A bad meeting can deflate a group and slow the progress of a project. Individuals and organizations should put equal emphasis on the meeting and the work. And if a meeting doesn't go as planned, take steps to make it better next time.

People also have to realize that informal gatherings will take place outside of the scheduled meeting structure. These so-called meetings can provide a forum for individuals to vent, share, and formulate ideas. If they remain productive, the "meeting before the meeting" or "meeting after the meeting" can make the formally scheduled meeting even more valuable. (Yes, feel free to read that sentence twice. I had to when I wrote it!)

At the beginning of this book, I mentioned the natural tendency for people to eliminate meetings. Honestly, that's not the...