Q: I’m on a team that regularly holds one or two full meetings per week. They aren’t productive — most of the hour (sometimes longer) is spent discussing personal issues or venting about problems, not solving them. I’d rather use the time to actually do some work. Is it inappropriate for me to bring this up to my manager, who leads the meetings? And what are some tips for running productive meetings?

A: Many people feel that the meetings that they attend — or even host — are less than productive. Having productive meetings takes planning, clear communication, and participants who are committed to using the time effectively. It is the responsibility of the participants and the manager to make sure meetings are productive.

What’s the purpose of these meetings? Making sure everyone knows the meeting’s objectives will set the tone. Is it to share information? A working session? To solve a specific problem or build support for a plan? Participants will behave accordingly based on the stated goals. A good meeting will have a specific purpose and be scheduled to achieve intended objectives, with preparatory information provided in advance.

Participants should know meeting rules — your situation might be that the team has no rules or that the rules aren’t clearly communicated. Is the start time held to? Should it be standard practice to say no e-mail, no phone use, and no multitasking? Are conversations and comments additive, not repetitive? If the rules are clear and people get off-agenda in a nonproductive way, anyone in the meeting — including you — can suggest they take it offline. Some social time is expected at the start of any meeting, but it should only be a few minutes or so.

Many people would choose to skip all meetings. But group communication can build community, with all people hearing the same information and ensuring the opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns. E-mails in place of a meeting won’t always cut it. Many people complain about working solo and being isolated and out of the loop, which is more likely to hinder employee engagement. If you are “in the know,’’ meetings might feel redundant. Keep in mind the benefit information sharing has for the group at large.

Talk to your manager about supporting him or her with the work needed to have standing meetings. Offer to develop or manage the agenda, write up the notes, and generally help (without pointing out that meetings need to be more effective).

You might also consider whether the whole team needs to be present for the entire meeting. Maybe the IT group comes to the first half, while Finance joins at the end. This will help individuals feel like the meeting they attend is valuable to them.

In general, effective meetings have a start time and an agenda in advance, actively encourage balanced participation, and follow up on action steps.

The end of the meeting is as important as the beginning. End on time or early. What have people committed to do? Is there someone who sends out minutes and action items to ensure follow-through?

Meetings are a necessary part of any business, but successful sessions take practice and commitment. As a participant, your support is a great first step in creating the environment for a productive meeting.

Elaine Varelas, managing partner of Keystone Partners in Boston, has over 20 years experience in career consulting, executive development, and coaching.