Core Hack #2: Architect Your Agenda with the 1-3-5 Rule
Simply having an agenda is not enough. A vague, sprawling list of topics is only marginally better than no agenda at all. A great agenda is a masterpiece of clarity and constraint. To achieve this, we recommend a simple but powerful framework: the 1-3-5 Rule.
The 1-3-5 Rule is a mental model for structuring productive meetings. It dictates that an effective agenda must have:
One (1) Primary Goal: The single most important thing the meeting must achieve. This should be an active, outcome-oriented statement. Not “Discuss marketing,” but “Decide on the Q3 marketing campaign theme.” This is your meeting’s North Star.
Three (3) Topics (Max): The main talking points or discussion items that will help you achieve the primary goal. Limiting yourself to three prevents scope creep and ensures there’s enough time for meaningful conversation on each. Each topic should directly serve the primary goal.
Five (5) Expected Outputs (Max): The specific, tangible outcomes or action items that will exist at the end of the meeting. These are the deliverables. They turn a conversation into a productive work session. Examples include “A list of next steps,” “A decision on X,” or “Person Y assigned to Task Z.”
Let’s see this in action. A terrible agenda looks like this: “Project Phoenix Meeting. Topics: Budget, Timeline, Marketing.”
An agenda designed with the 1-3-5 Rule looks like this:
Primary Goal: Finalize and approve the Project Phoenix launch plan.
Topics for Discussion:
1. Review and approve the final Q3 budget allocation.
2. Confirm the key marketing milestones and owner for the launch sequence.
3. Identify and address any remaining blockers to the launch date.
Expected Outputs:
1. Formal approval of the budget recorded.
2. Marketing lead assigned for the launch.
3. List of blockers documented.
4. Owners assigned to each blocker.
5. Go/No-Go decision for the current launch date is made.
The difference is staggering. The first agenda invites a rambling, unfocused conversation. The 1-3-5 agenda is a machine for progress. It forces the organizer to do the critical thinking before inviting half a dozen people, which is the essence of respecting others’ time. It defines what success looks like, creating a clear finish line for everyone involved.
