New research has revealed some interesting things about how work meetings can impact the productivity of employees. Bad meetings are more than just a waste of time; they can leave employees with a "meeting hangover," according to new research from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This "hangover" is characterized by lingering frustration and distraction that persists long after the meeting ends. Shockingly, over 90% of surveyed employees reported experiencing these negative aftereffects.More than half of those surveyed indicated that these "hangovers" significantly impacted their overall productivity. Steven Rogelberg, a professor of management at UNC-Charlotte and author of "The Surprising Science of Meetings." Explains how a bad meeting is not just something we can forget about, you carry the guilt and negative emotions of the meeting throughout the day.Shared Bad Feelings Cause A Drop In Productivity Bad meetings don't just affect the people who were there; they can also spread negativity to the whole team. When people have a terrible meeting, they often talk about it with their coworkers. This is called "co-rumination," which means they complain and share their frustrations. While it might feel good to vent, it actually makes things worse. The negativity spreads, and everyone starts feeling bad about the meeting and maybe even about work in general. This can lead to a really negative atmosphere in the office. Instead of solving problems, people are just focused on how bad the meeting was. This makes it even harder to get work done, because everyone is distracted and unhappy.Many things can make a meeting go bad and cause a "meeting hangover." One big problem is having meetings that could have just been an email. If you're just sharing information, you don't always need a meeting. Another issue is having a messy agenda. If the agenda is unclear or doesn't make sense, people get confused and frustrated. Also, if the meeting leader isn't good at keeping things on track or lets the meeting run too long, that's a problem. And if you leave a meeting without making any decisions, it feels like a waste of time. These things can all lead to those frustrating feelings that stick with you after the meeting ends. How Can You Make It Better?If you're already feeling the effects of a bad meeting, don't just complain. Instead, talk to your coworkers about how to fix the problem for next time. Try to understand why the meeting went wrong and think about different ways to handle it in the future. Talking about solutions and learning from the experience can help you feel better and more prepared for future meetings. It also builds your skills and helps you bounce back from bad meetings.Minimize Attendee ListsInvite only those crucial for decisions. Overcrowded meetings breed distraction. Essential participants drive focused discussions, reducing wasted time and improving outcomes.Facilitate, Don't DominateLeaders guide, not dictate. Encourage open dialogue, valuing diverse perspectives. Active listening and concise summaries enhance meeting effectiveness, promoting collaborative solutions.Frame Agendas as QuestionsTransform topics into clear questions. This clarifies meeting goals and attendee relevance. Answering defined questions ensures productive sessions and measurable results.Question Meeting NecessityIf agenda questions are absent, reconsider the meeting. Evaluate if email or brief updates suffice. Avoid unnecessary gatherings, maximizing time efficiency.