Jeff Bezos's two-pizza rule for leaner, productive meetings

Executive overview

Too many people in meetings kills output — decisions stall, nobody contributes, and wasted time compounds across 250 operating days a year. The two-pizza rule forces deliberate invite lists: if two normal pizzas can't feed everyone, the meeting is too big.

• Define the purpose and up to three outcomes before booking
• Build a short agenda with time per item and named attendees only
• Use the pizza test as a final check before sending the invite

Applying the two-pizza rule

• Identify the meeting's purpose and a maximum of three desired outcomes
• Write a short agenda: topics, time per item, specific attendees needed
• Invite only those required for discussion, debate, or decision
• Run the final litmus test: could two pizzas feed this group?
• If not, cut the list — a six-person meeting beats fourteen every time