“Donkey Meeting” is a term often used in organizational settings to describe a meeting that feels unproductive, chaotic, or overly long—akin to a group of donkeys milling about without direction.
It highlights the frustrations of participants who feel that their time could be better spent on actual work rather than sitting in a meeting that lacks clear objectives or outcomes.
In these meetings, discussions can go off-topic, decisions may not be made, and participants might leave feeling more confused than when they entered. The term underscores the importance of having a clear agenda, defined roles, and actionable items to ensure that meetings serve their intended purpose.
By addressing these elements, teams can transform potentially unproductive gatherings into effective collaborative sessions.