Make Meetings Matter

Stop Wasting Time: Use the MEETUPS Framework to Lead Meetings That Matter

Let’s be honest—most meetings miss the mark.

They lack purpose. They run long. They can wander.
And when it’s over, people are left asking: Why did we even meet?

But it doesn’t have to be that way.
What if your meetings became a strategic advantage?

That’s the power of THE MEETUPS FRAMEWORK—a simple, 7-step tool to help you lead meetings that drive clarity, connection, and action.

Introducing: M.E.E.T.U.P.S.

Each letter represents a key checkpoint to walk through before—or during—your meeting. Use it to stay focused, respect time, and move things forward.

M – Mission
Why are we meeting?
Every meeting needs a clear reason to exist. Define the purpose up front.

Ask: What’s the point?

E – Expected Outcome
What do we want to walk away with?
Decide what success looks like: a decision, an action plan, alignment, or something else?

Ask: What result are we aiming for?

E – Engagement
Who needs to be in the room—and why?
Only include people who bring value or who will take something with them.

Ask: Who adds or gains value here?

T – Type of Meeting
What kind of meeting is this?
Knowing the type sets the tone and helps people show up with the right mindset.

Ask: Are we connecting, creating, deciding, updating, training, or celebrating?

Types of Meetings:

• Connect – Build trust and relationships

• Create – Brainstorm, design, or solve

• Decide – Make a choice and commit

• Update – Share info and progress

• Train – Build skill or understanding

• Celebrate – Recognize wins and people

U – Understanding
Does everyone get the why, what, and how?
Clarify the mission, expected outcome, participants, and meeting type at the start. This ensures alignment before you go further.

Ask: Are we all clear on why we’re here and what we’re doing?

P – Progress + Plan
What’s next—and where are we coming from?
Every meeting should move something forward. Start by looking back. End with a plan.

• Recap carryover from the last meeting

• Confirm decisions, open items, and owners

• Identify clear next steps and action items

• Assign responsibilities with follow-up expectations

Ask: What are the decisions, actions, and assignments—and who owns them?

S – Schedule Matters
Are we managing time—and marking commitments?
Schedule matters in two ways: how we run the meeting, and how we commit to follow-through.

• Start on time. End on time—or early

• Respect people’s calendars

• Attach deadlines to action items

• Confirm when things are due and who’s responsible

Ask: Are we honoring the clock—and locking in deadlines?

MEETUPS is more than a checklist. It’s a mindset.

When you lead meetings with intention, you create momentum—not drag.

Before your next calendar invite goes out, pause.
Run it through MEETUPS.
Make it count.

Lead on purpose. Drive results. Finish early.