Meetings that drag on for hours, filled with unnecessary discussions and side conversations, are a major drain on productivity. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, has a simple yet powerful solution: keep everyone standing.
The Science Behind Standing Meetings
Branson is known for his unconventional leadership style, and his preference for standing meetings is no exception. He believes that eliminating chairs helps keep meetings short, focused, and action-oriented. And research backs him up—studies have shown that standing meetings can be 34% shorter than seated ones while maintaining the same level of decision-making effectiveness.
The logic is simple: when people are on their feet, they are less likely to ramble, multitask, or lose focus. The discomfort of standing too long encourages attendees to get to the point quickly, making discussions more concise and productive.
Why Standing Meetings Work
- Faster Decision-Making – Without the comfort of a chair, people naturally feel a sense of urgency. This leads to quicker conclusions and more decisive action.
- Higher Engagement – Standing reduces distractions like checking phones or zoning out. Everyone stays more mentally and physically engaged.
- More Energy and Collaboration – A standing posture promotes better blood circulation, which can boost creativity and keep energy levels high.
- Health Benefits – Sitting for long periods has been linked to numerous health issues. Short standing meetings introduce movement into the workday, improving well-being.
How to Use This Technique in Meetings
If you want to implement Branson’s standing meeting approach, consider these best practices:
- Set a Clear Agenda: Since standing meetings are meant to be quick, define the key points to discuss before starting.
- Limit the Time: Keep meetings under 15–20 minutes to maximize focus.
- Choose the Right Topics: Standing meetings work best for status updates, decision-making, and brainstorming sessions, rather than deep-dive discussions.
- Design the Space: If possible, have a dedicated area for standing meetings—such as a whiteboard space or a central office spot—to encourage movement.
- Combine with Walking Meetings: When feasible, turn a standing meeting into a walking one, which Branson also highly recommends for creativity.
Applying the Standing Meeting Approach to Optimize Team Collaboration
As part of Optimizing Meetings with 5 Proven Productivity Techniques, staying standing is particularly effective for fast-moving teams and organizations that value efficiency. Whether you run a startup, lead a corporate team, or manage remote workers, adopting this method can transform the way meetings function.
Instead of wasting time in long, drawn-out discussions, standing meetings push teams to make decisions and move forward faster—a principle that aligns with Branson’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Want to Make Every Meeting Count?
For a deeper dive into proven strategies that turn meetings into productive, focused sessions, check out our full guide:
How to Run Meetings That Don’t Waste Time
From Jeff Bezos’ no-PowerPoint rule to Sheryl Sandberg’s role assignment strategy—this article unpacks five high-impact methods that help teams save time and get better results.
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