I think meetings get an unjustified hard time. ‘Too many meetings’ ‘Bloody back to back meetings today’ ‘I haven’t got any work done today because I’ve been in meetings all day’.
So confession. When I used to do ‘real’ work I actually used to like meetings. (I miss not going to meetings these days). A chance to get away from the desk. Meet people. Have a little chat. Grab a coffee on the way. Learn something, discuss things, agree things.
The bit that spoilt it was when people abused the meeting. They took it for granted. They didn’t play their part in making it good.
It’s not hard to have a good meeting.
Why are we here?
What do we need to do?
How are we going to get there?
And maybe -
Who Needs to share anything that will help the meeting?
Who Needs to not share?
And if that sounds a bit hard, or it gets difficult, ask yourself How can I help to make this meeting a good one?
That’s it. That’s all we have to do before we get to the meeting.
And no, we can’t all be Elon Musk and just walk out of a meeting that is giving you nothing. But you can help to rescue the time. Stay in the meeting and help get it back on track, support the organiser (unless you are the organiser!).
And my final thought on Meetings, you haven’t not got any work done because you’ve been in meetings, meetings are work so make them count.
And that ends my pitch to save the humble meeting.
eleanor
www.anotherdoor.co.uk
Do you do Meetings?