Every professional has one. A meeting that shows up on the calendar and you dread going. Not because it's long or badly run — just because you can't see the point. You're not presenting, not deciding, not learning. You're attending. The meeting you can't skip. And why it feels like a waste. Why These Meetings Exist These meetings usually exist for one of three reasons: The organizer needs you there for optics. Not for input — for presence. Someone wants the meeting to look populated, or to signal that a decision has buy-in from all relevant parties. The information sharing requires your presence. Not because you have a unique perspective — because the organizer doesn't trust async updates to reach you effectively. No one has ever questioned whether it should exist. It's on the calendar. It always has been. Therefore it continues. The Cost You sit in the meeting. Your camera is on or off. You may or may not speak. You definitely won't remember what was discussed an hour after it ends.…