Objectives set (1) expectations for meetings as well as (2) guardrails that keep the discussion on-course.

It’s important to set expectations so that the attendees can come adequately prepared (I’ve been to meetings where the person who’s presenting didn’t even know that he was going to present—imagine that!).

It’s important to set guardrails to ensure everything on the agenda is given enough time during the 1 hour.

When done right, objectives start with a verb (which is rarely the word “discuss” because it’s too ambiguous).