Those who can, do those who can’t, meet
Meeting is not doing. In most cases, meeting is talking about doing. At some point, everyone must leave the meeting and go do the actual work. So why so many meetings? Sipping a cup of coffee and discussing things with others is much easier than sitting alone and doing the hard work required. A string of meetings makes for a less challenging day. They also allow people to share the burden.
While many meetings are unnecessary, here are the three I find productive. Maybe there are others, let me know in the comments.
Kicking off a project. Use it to get everyone on the same page. Ask questions, set expectations and timelines.
Solving a problem. A problem that can’t be addressed with a text, Slack, email, Teams. One that requires actual human interaction to come to a resolution.
A brainstorm. We need ideas fast. There is no time for deep individual thinking (which almost always results in more interesting ideas). Throw people in a room and go!
If it ain’t one of those, then maybe it is not needed.
So how do we solve the perennial over-meeting issue? Let’s discuss. You free on Friday? I’ll book a meeting.
