3 minutes max. · Episode 36 · Meetings and time
Smart AI Meeting Hacks
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About this episode
- Episode
- #36 of 48
- Published
- 7 November 2025
- Length
- 2:44 min
- Series
- Meetings and time
- Hosts
- Andre Ottlik and Jules (AI)
In short
You can steer meetings you are not moderating with smart questions. That way your team wastes less time and the meeting owner learns something about moderation. Two tips help you add structure as a participant.
Three things to try
- At the start of an unstructured meeting, ask about the goal, the expected outcomes and the time for each part.
- Offer to take the minutes and share your screen so everyone sees the next steps.
- Ask about deadlines and responsibilities, and consider which colleagues would welcome this support.
Read more: Break the silence in (remote) meetings!
Transcript
Read the full transcript
- 00:00 Andre Ottlik
- According to a 2020 survey by Deloitte, 74 percent of people believe that active participation through strategic interruptions and smart questioning is essential for generating innovative ideas in teams.
- 00:15 Jules
- So you want me to charmingly interrupt you with questions, even though you're the host, so we can come up with better ideas?
- 00:22 Andre Ottlik
- Sure, as long as you do it kindly. And I don't end up looking foolish. Bring it on.
- 00:27 Jules
- Then
- 00:28 Jules
- get ready for it.
- 00:29 Andre Ottlik
- Welcome to the Friday episode of 3 minutes max. Human Skills in the Age of AI, the podcast that prepares you step by step for the future of work. I am Andre Ottlik.
- 00:38 Jules
- Today, it's all about how you can steer meetings, which you're not moderating in a different direction with smart questions.
- 00:46 Andre Ottlik
- Exactly this way, you and your team waste less time in ineffective meetings. And your counterpart also learns something about meeting moderation. That's why today's tip number one is: Hone your questioning techniques. To be honest, from my perspective: It's not something you can perfect over the weekend, but bringing a bit more awareness to how you ask questions is definitely achievable. When I find myself in an unstructured meeting, whether with clients or partners, I try to set the direction right at the start - Just so I can contribute as effectively as possible. What exactly is the goal for today? Um, what should the meeting outcomes be then? And how much time are you planning for each part? If you ask these questions at the beginning and the moderator has to respond, more structure naturally comes into play.
- 01:41 Jules
- Tip number two involves your active participation by starting to visualize decisions parallel to the meeting's progress. Offer to take the minutes for your team. If possible, share your screen or use the office projector and make notes that everyone can see. For example, on an online whiteboard, write down next steps or outcomes on the board. Ask about deadlines or responsibilities. This way you add structure through visual support in the meeting.
- 02:10 Andre Ottlik
- Over the weekend. Think about in which meetings your colleagues would be most receptive to your support.
- 02:17 Jules
- If you enjoyed the episode, follow 3 minutes max. and recommend us to others. Do you have questions? Feel free to write to Andre on LinkedIn.
- 02:26 Andre Ottlik
- I would also greatly appreciate your feedback on this podcast. It helps me improve it. It takes a maximum
- 02:33 Andre Ottlik
- of three minutes and the link is in the show notes. Next week we'll help you gain more focus and organize your tasks better.
More on Meetings and time
- #34AI-Powered Meeting Prep
- #35Timeboxing Meets AI
- #36Smart AI Meeting Hacks (this episode)
- #37Eisenhower's AI Focus
- #38Pareto's AI Time Saver
- #39Timeboxing with AI
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