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Fake Meetings

When does a meeting go from viable to useless?

Bad meetings happen when the leader of the meeting is not clear what they want from the meeting, does not have an agenda, and includes people that can’t contribute to the meeting. The meeting is dead before it gets started. Phones are out, tablets kick in and the lids are up on the computers. The meeting is over.

What are the potential consequences of fake meetings?

1) Throwing away one of the companies more precious resources, time. Fake meetings might be the #1 most wasteful expenses that does not show up on a budget.

2) People lose trust in one another. They begin to not trust the process because it’s a waste of time

3) Fake meetings distract and throw an projects off course because it takes people down the wrong path.

4) Fake meetings can drive more fake meetings. People begin to think that’s the norm and they start doing more fake meetings.

5) Over time fake meetings shape the culture of the company.

Why do people feel the need to schedule or host useless meetings?

1) The number one reason people schedule useless meeting is to cover their butts. They want to be able to say they got input from the people in the room without really getting input. They are just checking the box that they got input.

2) The second reason is to feel important. Calling a meeting and running an agenda makes some people feel important.

What are some tips for avoiding useless meetings?

1) Ask for an agenda before accepting a meeting. Make sure the agenda is important to you.

2) Give feedback immediately after a bad meeting and tell the leader of the meeting you will not attend the next time unless the meeting is more effective.

3) Check the attendee list for the meeting and see if it makes sense for you to attend the meeting. For example, do they already have your role covered by another person?

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