Meeting inflation refers to the unchecked increase in the number, length, and frequency of meetings — often without proportional gain in productivity, decision-making, or meaningful collaboration.

It is a symptom of bureaucratic growth, institutional insecurity, or performative governance.

• Over-scheduling – Recurring meetings with little new content.
• Redundancy – Multiple meetings covering overlapping topics.
• Scope creep – Meetings start small but expand in attendees, agenda, and duration.
• False urgency – Creating the illusion that constant discussion equals progress.
• Token inclusion – Inviting people to “appear participatory” without actual engagement.

A weekly task force meeting with no clear decisions, held mainly to update PowerPoint slides or maintain visibility — classic meeting inflation.

• Time and cognitive fatigue.
• Delays in actual work or patient care.
• Demoralization of engaged staff.
• Inflation of CVs with committee entries instead of outcomes.
• Institutional stagnation under the illusion of movement.

• Meeting
• Academic Theater
• Bureaucracy
• Careerism

Bottom line: *Meeting inflation gives the appearance of coordination while draining the will to act.*