great advice Gary. I think the biggest problem is micro-management. I have often had regular meeting schedules with a boss whereby I literally am expected to run through my entire task list. Most of the time we’re talking for the sake of talking — there’s usually little to discuss on each item but we cover each off for at least 1–2 mins so that we are “being thorough”. It’s disempowering and a waste of everyone’s time. Conversely, when I’ve managed people I’ve tried to keep that to the top 3 things my guys are working on and their top 3 challenges. If the meeting needs to go longer to work through some of those challenges then we set up more time later or bump the next meeting if urgent. But generally 10 mins should be more than enough to check in and get on with it.