Calendar Reviews

Overview
This post explains the practice of calendar reviews used by product leadership coaches. It describes how examining a packed schedule reveals a lack of agency caused by excessive meetings, and how systematic review can help leaders reclaim control over their time.

Key Takeaways

• Overloaded calendars (7+ hours of meetings per day) reduce a leader's sense of control.
• Regular calendar reviews surface hidden priorities and time-wasting patterns.
• Structured discussion around the calendar helps identify opportunities to reclaim time for strategic work.
• Coaching leaders to set boundaries and allocate focused time improves decision-making and execution.

Who Would Benefit

• Product managers and senior product leaders.
• Engineering managers and technical leads.
• Anyone in a leadership role who struggles with meeting overload.
• Coaches and mentors working with leaders on time management.

Frameworks and Methodologies

• Calendar Review Technique (coach-guided schedule analysis).
• Time-boxing and agenda setting for meetings.
• Prioritization frameworks such as RICE or ICE to allocate meeting time.