Meetings often run over time, especially when they're back-to-back. An Engineering Manager at Google has implemented a practice where all meetings start at five minutes past the hour or half-hour. This small adjustment helps create a natural break between meetings, reducing stress and allowing participants to settle in. The strong social pressure to stick to the new start time means people tend to arrive punctually, ready to engage. While it might seem like this change costs five minutes per meeting, the reality is that meetings rarely start precisely on time anyway. The practice has caught on within the organization organically, not through mandates. This demonstrates that when people have the freedom to adapt their schedules, they often do so in a way that promotes efficiency and productivity. The five-minute buffer allows team members to clear their heads, leading to more effective discussions.