How do you keep a meeting from going off track?
Before you start, ask, "What outcome do we need today?" Setting the target up front keeps the whole conversation sharper.
What I say in the video
Most meetings go sideways because no one's actually stated the purpose. People jump in, start talking, and suddenly you're 20 minutes in with no clear direction.
Here's the fix, and it just takes 10 seconds. Before you start, ask: "What outcome do we need today?"
That one question cuts drift, shortens meetings, and immediately strengthens your leadership presence. When you set the target up front, the entire conversation gets sharper.
What I didn’t say in the video
Meetings drift when people walk in with different ideas about what they're for. One person thinks it's a brainstorm, another thinks it's a decision, and someone else came for an update.
Asking about the outcome out loud gets everyone working toward the same thing. It also gives you an easy way to redirect later. If the conversation wanders, you can point back to the outcome you all agreed on, which feels much less personal than telling someone they're off topic.
Try it today
Open your next meeting with the outcome question, even if you're not the one running it. Write the answer at the top of your notes.
Bill Smartt is a New York executive presence and public speaking coach and the founder of Smartt Talk. He works with leaders in financial services, tech, advertising and startups.
