Southwest CEO Blocks Afternoons for Productivity, Dismissing Meetings

In today’s fast-paced corporate environment, leaders are increasingly concerned about the overwhelming number of meetings that diminish productivity. Bob Jordan, CEO of Southwest Airlines, recently highlighted this issue, stating that many executives mistakenly equate constant meetings with effective leadership. He made these remarks during a panel discussion at the New York Times DealBook Summit.

Blocking Afternoons for Productivity

To combat the problem of excessive meetings, Jordan has implemented a structured approach to protect his work hours. Starting in 2026, he plans to block off his calendar every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday afternoon. This strategy is aimed at ensuring he has uninterrupted time to focus on critical tasks, rather than being constrained by back-to-back meetings.

Jordan acknowledged that some may view this practice as unconventional, but he emphasized that CEOs are primarily hired to perform unique responsibilities that require dedicated time away from meetings.

Impact on Company Performance

The effectiveness of Jordan’s approach appears to be showing results. Despite facing a challenging year within the airline industry, Southwest Airlines recorded an unexpected profit in its latest quarterly earnings report. Additionally, its stock price has appreciated approximately 23% year-to-date.

The Meeting Dilemma

Jordan is not alone in his concerns regarding meetings. Many employees and executives feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of scheduled calls and meetings. A recent Atlassian study conducted in 2024 indicated that nearly 80% of surveyed workers felt they were overwhelmed by meetings, which often left them with little time for meaningful work. Furthermore, about 72% of those meetings were considered ineffective.

This collective frustration has prompted many leaders to reassess their approach to meetings. Some executives are even instituting entirely meeting-free days to enhance productivity. However, experts caution against completely eliminating meetings, as this could erode organizational culture and a sense of belonging among employees.

Alternative Strategies from Other CEOs

Different executives are adopting various strategies to tackle the issue of meeting overload. For example:

• Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, avoids one-on-one meetings with his direct reports. He believes this approach fosters agility and swift information flow within the team.
• Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, advocates for employees to critically evaluate the necessity of meetings. He emphasizes that when meetings do occur, they should start and end on time, with a clear purpose and follow-up actions.

As organizations strive to refine their operational efficiency, striking a balance between necessary meetings and productive work time will remain a priority. With leaders like Jordan, Huang, and Dimon setting examples, the corporate landscape may soon see a shift towards more thoughtful meeting practices.