What is the Two Pizza Rule?

Do you find yourself leaving meetings feeling like nothing has been accomplished? Or maybe you’re tired of sitting in marathon meetings that leave you mentally drained. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In fact, 67% of executives believe that most meetings are unproductive and a waste of time.

Enter the Two Pizza Rule – a concept popularized by Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon. At its core, the Two Pizza Rule is about keeping meetings small and focused to increase productivity. In this article, we’ll dive into what the Two Pizza Rule is, why it works, and how you can implement it in your own organization.

What is the Two Pizza Rule?

The Two Pizza Rule states that no meeting should have more attendees than can be fed with two pizzas. That may sound simplistic, but the concept behind it is profound. Amazon’s belief is that any team that requires more than a few people to accomplish a task is likely too large and will be unproductive.

This rule came directly from Bezos himself. In an interview with CNBC, Bezos stated, “If you can’t feed a team with two pizzas, it’s too large.” He went on to explain that larger groups tend to have more bureaucracy, less communication, and slower decision-making processes.

Why Does the Two Pizza Rule Work?

The Two Pizza Rule works for several reasons. First, it helps to eliminate unnecessary attendees from meetings. How often have you been in a meeting where people are present who have no real reason to be there? Maybe they’re there just to listen or because they were included on a group invite. Whatever the reason, each additional attendee adds to the complexity of the meeting and can hinder productivity.

Second, the Two Pizza Rule promotes more effective communication. Smaller groups tend to be more intimate, which can lead to more open and honest discussions. In larger groups, people may be more hesitant to speak up or share their opinions. Smaller groups also tend to move more quickly, as there are fewer perspectives to consider.

Third, smaller meetings tend to lead to faster decision-making. When everyone is on the same page and there are fewer voices to consider, it’s easier to reach a decision quickly. This can be especially important when you’re trying to move quickly on a project or initiative.

How Can You Implement the Two Pizza Rule?

Implementing the Two Pizza Rule in your organization may seem daunting at first, but it’s easier than you might think. Here are some steps you can take to get started:

Step 1: Determine Who Needs to Be in the Meeting

Before you even think about scheduling a meeting, take some time to determine who really needs to be there. This might be a hard conversation to have, as you may need to tell people that they’re not needed. But it’s essential to keep meetings focused and productive.

One strategy is to use the “optional” feature when sending out calendar invites. This lets people know that they’re welcome to attend, but that their presence is not required. Just be sure to clarify expectations ahead of time so that people aren’t offended by the “optional” tag.

Step 2: Set an Agenda and Stick to It

Once you’ve determined who needs to be in the meeting, set a clear agenda with specific objectives. This will help keep the meeting on track and ensure that the discussion is focused on the most important topics.

It’s also important to stick to the agenda. If you find that the conversation is veering off track, gently redirect it back to the topic at hand. Don’t allow the meeting to become a free-for-all.

Step 3: Be Prepared

Preparation is key when it comes to the Two Pizza Rule. Make sure that everyone who is attending the meeting knows what is expected of them ahead of time. This might mean sending out reading materials or asking attendees to prepare a short presentation.

It’s also important to be prepared yourself. Make sure that you have all of the information you need and that you’ve thought through any potential roadblocks ahead of time.

Step 4: Limit the Meeting Time

The Two Pizza Rule suggests that meetings should be limited to no more than two hours. While this may not be possible in every situation, it’s a good rule of thumb to keep in mind.

By setting a time limit, you’ll be forced to stay focused on the most important topics and ensure that everyone has a chance to speak. It also puts pressure on people to make decisions quickly and move on to the next item on the agenda.

Step 5: Evaluate the Meeting Afterwards

After the meeting is over, take some time to evaluate how it went. Did you accomplish the objectives you set out to achieve? Was the meeting focused and productive? Were there any attendees who didn’t need to be there?

Evaluating each meeting can help you identify areas for improvement and ensure that future meetings are even more productive.

Conclusion

The Two Pizza Rule is a simple but powerful concept that can revolutionize the way you approach meetings. By keeping meetings small, focused, and productive, you can reduce bureaucracy, facilitate more effective communication, and speed up decision-making processes.

Implementing the Two Pizza Rule in your organization may take some effort, but the benefits are well worth it. By carefully selecting attendees, setting an agenda, being prepared, limiting the meeting time, and evaluating afterwards, you can ensure that your meetings are productive and effective. So the next time you’re scheduling a meeting, ask yourself – can you feed the team with just two pizzas? If not, it might be time to rethink who really needs to be there.