Nov 12, 2012

This meeting is called to order


Years ago IBM communications professionals attended a mandatory class in effective meetings. Interestingly, it was not about running meetings, but how to be effective participants. I don’t know why that course is no longer offered, considering the amount of time we all spend in meetings.

One CEO offers his views on ineffective leaders, with the provocative headline: 7 reasons people hate being in meetings with you. He says too many meetings are poorly organized, poorly run and have no objective, which is why they have no value. His complaints:

1. You have no agenda.
2. You talk at them, not with them.
3. You barrage them with data.
4. You're overly familiar.
5. You look at your phone, not at them.
6. You talk over people.
7. You talk just to show you have value, even when you don't.