Like Jamie Dimon, AT&T CEO Says If You Attend a Meeting, You Need to Show Up Prepared — He 'Craves' People Who Don't Just Sit Back and Observe

 

Like Jamie Dimon, AT&T CEO Says If You Attend a Meeting, You Need to Show Up Prepared — He 'Craves' People Who Don't Just Sit Back and Observe

**"Don't walk in there and just be an observer."**

That's the message AT&T CEO John Stankey delivered in a recent joint interview with JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon — and it's one that every professional, from the corner office to the cubicle, should take to heart.

In a world where meetings have become the default setting for corporate communication — and where calendars are packed with back-to-back calls that blur into one another — Stankey's words cut through the noise. He doesn't just want bodies in chairs. He wants people who are prepared, who have done their homework, and who come armed with opinions built on facts, data, and information.

"Surrounding yourself with a bunch of yes-men is not a recipe for success," Stankey said. Instead, he wants employees to come to meetings prepared to share their ideas and perspectives — not simply sit back and listen.

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## The 'Crave' for Preparedness

Stankey's philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful principle: one of the core tenets in AT&T's cultural documents is that employees should not show up to meetings without having done their homework.

"I love discourse," Stankey said. But discourse without substance is just noise. When you have a point of view, he emphasized, "it shouldn't just be some uninformed opinion. It should be a point of view that's built on facts, information, and data".

"I crave that," he added.

That craving goes beyond a preference for preparedness. It's a signal about the kind of culture Stankey is trying to build at AT&T — one where contribution is valued over mere presence, where thoughtful disagreement is welcomed, and where people who sit back and observe may find themselves wondering if they're in the right room.

"If employees aren't willing to speak up — or don't have a constructive point to make — Stankey suggested there may not be the right people in the room".

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## Dimon's Doctrine: Meetings Must Be Productive

Stankey isn't alone in this thinking. Jamie Dimon, the longtime CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has long been an outspoken advocate for meeting efficiency and preparedness.

"I am never upset when someone says I'm wrong about something," Dimon said. "I just want to do the best I can for our clients, our country, our company".

Leaders should create an environment where employees aren't afraid to disagree or raise uncomfortable issues — even if that means putting the proverbial "dead cat on the table," he said.

Dimon has also been clear about the basics of meeting etiquette. "When I go to a meeting, I've done the pre-reads, and you get 100% of my attention," he said. Checking phones and tablets during meetings "has to stop".

For Dimon, meetings should always start with a clear purpose and end with a list of actionable follow-up items. If a meeting doesn't serve a clear purpose, he has argued, it should be "killed".

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## The AI Era: Rethinking How We Prepare

Both CEOs acknowledged that the way they prepare for meetings is evolving — and that artificial intelligence is playing a growing role.

"I'm starting to wonder if reading is the best way to go," Stankey said. "As I've gotten more into the dialog dynamic with AI, I can consume, I think, faster now in a directed conversation".

Dimon agreed. "I do that same thing," he said. "I use Gemini or Google, and deep dive to get information very quickly. I try to do all my previews before I go to meetings".

But while the tools may be changing, the underlying principle remains the same: preparation is non-negotiable. Dimon has long argued that showing up prepared is essential, and Stankey's comments reinforce that message.

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## The Bottom Line: Contribution Over Observation

Stankey's message is a wake-up call for anyone who has ever sat through a meeting without contributing. In the modern workplace, being present is not enough. Being prepared is not optional. And being willing to speak up — with informed opinions based on facts and data — is what separates the people who drive progress from those who simply observe it.

"I crave that," Stankey said.

If you're attending a meeting without having done the work, without having formed a point of view, without being ready to contribute — you might be in the wrong room.

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## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. What did AT&T CEO John Stankey say about meetings?

Stankey said that employees should come to meetings prepared to share their ideas and perspectives — not simply sit back and listen. He emphasized that opinions should be built on facts, information, and data.

### 2. What does Stankey mean when he says he "craves" prepared people?

Stankey uses the word "crave" to emphasize how much he values employees who do their homework and come to meetings with informed points of view. He sees this as essential to productive discourse and effective decision-making.

### 3. How does Jamie Dimon view meeting preparedness?

Dimon has long emphasized that meetings should be necessary, purposeful, and productive. He expects attendees to have done the pre-reads and to give their full attention during the meeting.

### 4. What does "putting a dead cat on the table" mean?

It's a phrase Dimon uses to describe raising uncomfortable or difficult issues in meetings. He believes leaders should create an environment where employees feel safe doing so.

### 5. How are Stankey and Dimon adapting to AI in meeting prep?

Both CEOs are exploring AI tools to accelerate their preparation. Stankey has found that directed conversations with AI can help him consume information faster than traditional reading, while Dimon uses tools like Gemini to deep-dive on topics before meetings.

### 6. What should I do if I don't have a constructive point to make in a meeting?

Stankey's advice suggests that if you don't have a constructive point to make, you may not need to be in that meeting. Preparation is key — if you've done the work, you should have something to contribute.

### 7. Is it okay to disagree with the boss in a meeting?

Yes — in fact, both Stankey and Dimon encourage it. Dimon has said he is "never upset" when someone says he's wrong about something. The goal is to get to the best outcome, not to protect egos.

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## Disclaimer

*This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The views expressed are those of the individuals quoted and do not necessarily reflect the views of AT&T, JPMorgan Chase, or any other organization mentioned. Market performance data is based on publicly available information and is subject to change.*