answer:People are motivated to pay attention if they know the meeting will be short. Some things, like recognitions, should be disseminated on a timely basis via email, rather than take time during a meeting. Same with updates on burnout or stress. To make a meeting move quickly, try one where no one sits. A stand up meeting gets everyone to the point, and standing keeps them from getting distracted. Also, no blackberries or smartphones allowed. Make it clear up front, no such devices will be tolerated. A dozen years ago, I had a CEO who would not tolerate people looking at devices. One woman had her pager set to buzz every time she got a voice mail. The second time it buzzed the Chairman picked it up, and without interrupting what he was saying, threw it down a stairwell.