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Podcast Episode

[ScaleX Bite-Size] Want Better Meetings? Ask Better Questions with Steven G. Rogelberg

ScaleX™ Insider Podcast··31 August 2026·3 min

About this episode

Most leaders assume that having an agenda automatically leads to effective meetings. Steven G. Rogelberg's research shows that it doesn't. In this clip from the ScaleX Insider podcast, Brendan and Steven explore why traditional meeting agendas can become a "hollow crutch" and reveal a simple shift that can completely change the quality of a meeting: stop listing topics to discuss and start framing your agenda as questions to answer. Steven explains how this approach creates greater strategic focus, makes it clearer who actually needs to be in the room and gives every meeting a measurable outcome. And if you can't think of a question the meeting needs to answer? You might not need the meeting at all. 00:00 Why having an agenda isn't enough 00:45 Why traditional agendas become a "hollow crutch" 01:25 Turn agenda topics into questions 02:10 How questions create strategic focus 02:55 How questions determine who needs to be in the room 03:30 If you can't find the question, you may not need the meeting 04:00 Closing Book: The Surprising Science of Meetings by Steven G. Rogelberg Website: stevenrogelberg.com Book: Simple Scaling: 10 Proven Principles to 10x Your Business ScaleX Elevate (under £3M revenue): https://simplescaling.com/solutions/scalex-elevate ScaleX Accelerator (over £3M revenue): https://simplescaling.com/solutions/accelerator Website: https://simplescaling.comEmail: hello@simplescaling.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-scaling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simple_scaling If you are an SME or B2B leader serious about scaling your business: Like this video Comment: Does your meeting agenda list topics or questions? Share with a leader who spends too much time in meetings Subscribe for more scaling insights Host: Brendan McGurgan, Co-Founder Simple Scaling Guest: Steven G. Rogelberg