An executive session is a meeting or series of meetings held by a board, committee, or other group to discuss confidential matters in private. It allows members to speak freely and make decisions without fear of public scrutiny or outside influence. Executive sessions are often used for personnel issues, legal disputes, real estate transactions, and other sensitive topics that require discretion. The proceedings and decisions made during an executive session are typically kept confidential and not disclosed to the general public unless specifically authorized by the group.