[softwaredoug]

I know how you feel.

They’re not effective unless people actually do the follow on actions and create change. Otherwise they are just bitch sessions.

They also can suck because the fundamental problems are not solvable by the group of people in the meeting. They’re endemic to the organization and at best you can work around those issues.

People also are hesitant to discuss some elephants in the room, or have a sense of learned helplessness about certain topics.