Guidelines for Standing Meetings

Meetings don’t have to take place with everyone seated in chairs around a table.  In fact, there are several benefits to meeting participants when everyone stands up.

  • Meetings are 35% shorter in duration
  • Agendas get accomplished quickly so meetings end earlier
  • Guests arrive on time knowing the meeting will be quick
  • Standing up increases mental alertness
  • Being upright is better for cardiovascular health
  • Participants burn up to 50% more calories while standing

To prepare for stand up meetings keep the agenda length to 15-30 minutes and let your guests know there will be no chairs except for anyone who can’t stand up comfortably.  Prepare the room with flip charts or any other audio visuals you need that work better when participants are upright.  Use high cocktail style tables scattered around the room for guests to place papers or take notes on.

For the first few stand up meetings you host try standing for the first 10 minutes, sit for 10 minutes, then stand up to close the meeting.  Ask your guests how they comprehended and retained information differently while standing versus sitting.  You’ll discover that attendees realized the benefits of standing especially as everyone likes it when meetings end on schedule.

And your organization will profit from encouraging both physical and mental health as standing up is better for all of us who sit at our desks in chairs most of the day.

Encourage your boss to hold your next meeting without chairs.  You’ll experience the value of standing up right away.