Committee

Most of my friends know just too well I am always skeptical with any meeting that needs more than a handful of people.

After all, if the whole Qing (清) Empire could be ruled by a committee of five or six (the Grand Council, 軍機處), and a country of over 1 billion people by a committee of nine (the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, 中央政治局常務委員會), why do you need a crowd of 50 for whatever matter at hand ?

In fact, for professional administrators, most would follow the teaching of Humphrey Appleby:

1. Do not go to a meeting without a (clear) agenda.
2. Before calling a meeting, make sure you are able to prepare the minutes before the meeting actually takes place.

Yes, your eyes are right. A desirable meeting is one that you could prepare the minutes in advance - in other words, you are sure what's going to happen.

You wouldn't watch a drama without a script, would you ? (Not to say you are someone on the stage !)