A colleague once told me she had never seen anyone who disliked meetings more than me. I explained that it wasn't that I disliked meetings. I dislike meetings that have little to no purpose. I dislike having meetings just because a meeting is scheduled. I dislike meetings that includes a lot of discussion and little action. I've seen meetings address the same issue for months before taking any action that was obvious the first time it was discussed. Too often a meeting is called simply to discuss information that could have been distributed through email or over the phone.
Because of the pandemic a lot of organizations have their meetings over ZOOM or another platform. I am hearing that some of these organizations are wondering if so many online meetings are necessary. They are hearing that their people are getting tired of having ZOOM meetings, especially if they have several scheduled the same day. If these meetings are found to be unnecessary perhaps the organization needs to determine if all of their live meetings are necessary as well.
No doubt, some meetings are important to the well-being of the organization. Such meetings should continue, but some guidelines are in order.
- No meeting should occur without a well-thought out agenda that is distributed prior to the meeting.
- Only those persons necessary to the meeting should be invited.
- All meetings should start on time to honor the commitments of those attending.
- Discussion should be limited to items on the agenda except in extenuating circumstances. Inviting people to a meeting to discuss something and then spending that time chasing rabbits is frustrating to those attending and not a good use of an organization's time.
- Everyone should be encouraged to participate in discussions, but no one should be allowed to dominate.
- Meetings should not be called without first deciding if it is necessary for the good of the organization.
- End the meeting when it has accomplished its purpose.
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