Amazon founder Jeff Bezos says he is rarely on time in meetings; the only meeting I’m ever on time is ...

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is renowned for his unique meeting strategy, which is said to blend thorough preparation with open-ended discussions. A cornerstone of Bezos approach is the use of six-page narrative memos, read silently by attendees at the start of each meeting. This practice ensures alignment and readiness for meaningful discussions. Speaking at the recent New York Times DealBook Summit, Bezos shared how this combination of structured preparation and open dialogue helps boosts productivity, deepen engagement and sparks innovation.

Bezos believes that this "messy" approach, characterized by wandering topics and divergent ideas, is crucial for innovation. By encouraging everyone to speak their mind, regardless of seniority, he fosters a culture of open dialogue and creative thinking.
“I like the meetings to wander,” Bezos said. “The only meeting I’m ever on time for is my first meeting, because I won’t finish a meeting until I’m really finished.”
While Bezos champions the benefits of unstructured discussions, he acknowledges that not all meetings should be chaotic. Structured meetings, like weekly business reviews or product launches, require a more formal approach.

Beyond productivity, Bezos emphasizes the importance of human connection in meetings. He believes that candid conversations, even about difficult topics, can strengthen relationships and boost morale.
Bezos said, noting that he makes an effort to speak candidly about changes that are needed or when he feels scared about the company’s ability to successfully deliver on a project. Yet he added that while it’s fine to express negative emotions, an optimistic outlook is a must for leaders, especially entrepreneurs.
“I don’t know how some glum, Eeyore-type founder could ever lead a company to success,” he said. “You’ve got to have some energy, and it’s got to be a little contagious. There’s going to be a lot of bad days, [so] you’ve got to lift people up.”
Recently, Amazon’s head of AI Rohit Prasad recently shared that Bezos is “very involved” in the company's AI efforts even though he’s no longer CEO.