Meetings Are NOT Sacred Cows

Meetings Are Not Sacred Cows

I hope you’re doing well. I want to start today with some feedback from one of our listeners that really stuck with me.

A builder reached out while working on an elevated railway project. One of the stations had these massive concrete vents, and they caught an error in elevation before things moved too far forward. Later, they discovered three other vents with the same mistake. The feedback reminded me how much better the industry could be if every builder had stronger skills in layout and survey. That’s why I love hearing from you all because your stories make me reflect deeply on the work we do and the importance of continuous learning.

On the business side, let me be transparent. Running Elevate requires consistent effort to keep everything moving. Our expenses run around $210,000 a month, and while revenue covers it, the margins can be thin. Construction cash flow is always tough because payments lag. Right now, we have nearly half a million dollars sitting in receivables waiting to be paid. It’s not a complaint, I love our clients, but it’s a reality.

We’ve been able to keep things going for three and a half years, and we’ll continue, but it’s only possible because of your support. Every referral, every boot camp enrollment, every recommendation you make matters. If you’ve ever wondered whether starting the construction company distracted us, the answer is no. In fact, it’s helping us fund the training side of the business so we can bring more value to you.

I came across something on LinkedIn recently that really resonated with me. It was a short list about improving yourself. Exercise to improve your mood. Meditate to think clearly. Read to understand the world. Journal to understand yourself. Teach to understand better. To be happy, expect nothing and enjoy the present. To get more, give. It reminded me of Eckhart Tolle and his teachings. The message was simple but powerful. Growth starts with how we show up every day.

That also led me to remember a story I once heard at church. It’s about a boy, Jack, and his father. After years of tension, Jack stormed out one day, telling his dad he’d never return. But as he left, his father called after him, apologizing and promising he’d always be welcome back. On the bus, Jack reflected on those words and realized the love and humility it took for his father to say them. He turned around, went home, and found his father waiting for him. That choice changed their relationship forever.

The lesson was clear. Love heals. Love expressed, not just felt, is what binds families, teams, and communities together. It reminded me to cherish the people closest to us and to never let pride stand in the way of connection.

Now, here’s the main point I want to share with you today. Recently in our team meetings, Kate and Kevin raised concerns about the quality of some discussions. Not in a negative way, but with a critical eye for improvement. That made me reflect on something. Why do so many people tolerate bad meetings?

I realized it’s because meetings are treated like sacred cows. People assume they can’t be changed, questioned, or challenged. But here’s the truth. Meetings are not sacred cows.

If you’re in a meeting and it’s not productive, you have three options. Make it better by raising the energy and focus. Improve the structure by clarifying the purpose. Or cancel it altogether. You don’t need to sit through a meeting that drains energy and adds no value.

At Elevate, we’ve made it clear. Bad meetings have no place here. Every meeting should serve a purpose, drive progress, and energize the people in the room. If it doesn’t, we fix it. That’s the mindset I want to spread across the industry.

So here’s the call to action. Don’t treat meetings as untouchable. Speak up, suggest improvements, or shut them down if they’re wasting time. Respect people’s time by making every gathering worthwhile. Meetings should be tools for progress, not rituals that drain us.

I’ll leave you with that thought. Meetings are not sacred cows. Let’s challenge them, improve them, and use them to elevate the construction experience for everyone.

On we go.

Key takeaway
I realized that meetings are often treated as untouchable, but they are not sacred cows. If a meeting is unproductive, we can fix it, refocus it, or cancel it so that our time and energy are spent on what truly matters.