While Jeff Bezos may no longer be at the helm of Amazon, his business philosophies continue to resonate, particularly his approach to meetings. Bezos believes that well-structured meetings are crucial for productivity and effective decision-making, and his strategies have played a significant role in Amazon’s success.
One of Bezos’s key practices involves speaking last in meetings. His girlfriend, Lauren Sánchez, shared that this was one of the most valuable business lessons she learned from him. By allowing others to voice their opinions first, Bezos ensures that discussions are not influenced by his own perspective, fostering a more open and inclusive environment.
Bezos also implemented a unique meeting format at Amazon: a 30-minute silent reading period at the beginning of every meeting. This practice, which he believes is “the smartest thing we ever did,” requires participants to read through a detailed memo outlining the meeting’s agenda and discussion topics. This ensures that everyone is on the same page before the conversation begins and allows for more focused and productive discussions.
The silent reading period has a dual benefit: it encourages thorough preparation and eliminates the need for participants to pretend they’ve read the memo. Bezos emphasizes the importance of keeping meetings concise once the silent reading period is complete, ideally under an hour. This helps ensure that discussions stay on track and avoid unnecessary delays.
The impact of Bezos’s meeting strategies is undeniable. Amazon’s incredible growth, with shares up 945% in the past 10 years, speaks to the effectiveness of his approach. Even other business leaders, like Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, have adopted similar strategies, highlighting the value of Bezos’s insights. By prioritizing preparation, fostering open dialogue, and ensuring focused discussion, Bezos’s meeting practices offer valuable lessons for leaders and companies seeking to enhance productivity and achieve success.
