Meetings

The shortest meetings (and probably the most productive) are the ones you have standing up; e.g. in the corridor, at the water cooler, in the queue at the canteen.
 
Always, always go to a meeting with an Agenda - simply don't turn up and attend. If you are driving the Agenda, stick to it. If you don't know what is going to be discussed then ask.

If the meeting is going off the Agenda say so. if it continues to go astray then seriously consider walking out.

Be prepared in terms of your own inputs.
 
Be prepared to be flexible when you are not getting your own way.
 
Have strict time limits, start on time and finish on time.