Ever felt like your calendar is swallowing your entire day? You're not alone. Senior leaders have long been infamous for back-to-back one-on-one meetings that drain not only their time but also their mental clarity. But guess what? A recent insight from the Harvard Business Review article "Why Senior Leaders Should Stop Having So Many One-on-Ones" reveals a surprising trend: these high-profile executives are cutting back on one-on-ones and embracing smarter, more effective meeting formats.

Why the change? Because traditional one-on-ones, while valuable, can quickly become time traps. When leaders spend all their time in individual meetings, they miss out on broader collaboration and cross-functional synergy. The article highlights how small, cross-functional “capability meetings” are proving to be a game-changer — combining voices from different teams to spark innovation and solve problems faster.

This shift isn't just a corporate fad; it reflects a deeper understanding of how we should use our limited time. And if senior leaders can rethink their schedules, so can you. Whether you’re managing your career, parenthood, or personal goals, this lesson on productivity is gold.

What Can We Learn From This Leadership Shift?

  • Quality over quantity: More meetings don’t equal more productivity. Focus on the meetings that bring real value.
  • Cross-functional collaboration matters: Bringing diverse perspectives together can create solutions no single one-on-one conversation could.
  • Protect your time fiercely: Use small, focused gatherings instead of endless individual check-ins.

How Does This Relate to Your Parenthood Journey?

Just like leaders who rethink their meeting strategy, individuals and couples on alternative parenthood paths can benefit from smarter use of resources and time. For example, choosing effective and supportive methods can save emotional and financial energy. This is why many are turning to innovative solutions like at-home insemination kits.

Take MakeAMom’s BabyMaker At-Home Insemination Kit, designed for people who want an accessible, cost-effective, and private way to try conception outside of clinical settings. It’s tailored for those with sensitive conditions and needs, offering a reusable, discreet option that puts control back in your hands. It’s like optimizing your process to get the best results without extra hassle, just as leaders optimize their meetings.

Practical Tips to Optimize Your Time & Energy on Your Parenthood Journey

  • Streamline your approach: Identify what methods or resources truly support your journey and focus there.
  • Seek supportive communities: Collaborative groups can offer insights and shared experiences, much like cross-functional meetings empower leaders.
  • Embrace innovation: Don’t shy away from new technologies or products that can simplify challenging processes.

Wrapping It Up

The takeaway? Whether you’re a CEO trying to reclaim your calendar or a hopeful parent navigating your options, embracing smarter, more collaborative, and efficient approaches can make all the difference. The old model of endless one-on-ones or unnecessary steps in your journey might just be holding you back.

So, what’s your game-changing strategy? Are you ready to rethink how you spend your time and energy to unlock better results and peace of mind?

Dive deeper into smarter parenthood choices and explore tools that put you in control, like the BabyMaker At-Home Insemination Kit. Your time is precious – don’t waste it on outdated methods.

Read the full Harvard Business Review article here for more on how senior leaders are transforming their time management: Why Senior Leaders Should Stop Having So Many One-on-Ones.

What do you think? Have you noticed opportunities to streamline your own schedule or parenthood journey? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation!