# Harvard Professors Secret Meeting Hacks

> Two invisible prep moves boost big meetings.
- Title: Harvard Professors Secret Meeting Hacks · Psychologies
- Summary: Two invisible prep moves boost big meetings. Leslie John, Harvard professor, says preparing meeting space and asking open questions improves outcomes.
- Keywords: leslie john, harvard business school, negotiation, meeting prep, agenda learning, team dynamics, communication, Harvard, Professors, Secret, Meeting, Hacks
- Source: Psychologies — https://psychologies.com/travail/carriere/Cette-professeure-de-Harvard-lobserve-les-personnes-qui-excellent-dans-les-reunions-importantes-ont-ces-2-reflexes-en-commun-642029
- Author: Guillaume Servant
- Published: 2026-09-24T14:04:07+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: leslie john, harvard business school, negotiation, meeting prep, agenda learning, team dynamics, communication
## Leslie John's meeting secret
Harvard negotiation professor explains two invisible prep moves for big meetings.

> Leslie John, professor of negotiation and behavioral economics at Harvard Business School
## First prep move: space setup
Choose familiar meeting space to build confidence.

> Negotiating on your own territory makes you more confident
## Second prep move: questions
Prepare open questions to learn about others.

> Ask what changed since last meeting
## Key questions for success
Four questions to uncover priorities and needs.

> What changed for you since last meeting?
## Practical prep time
Five minutes for space, five for questions.

> Ten minutes total for effective meeting prep
## What happens next
Listen actively instead of reciting.

> People who prepare well listen and respond better
## Key takeaway

Leslie John, Harvard professor, says preparing meeting space and asking open questions improves outcomes.