Meetings: the scourge of the workspace, especially when all attendees are aware that they are taking place simply because they “have to.” If this is not an indication of all that is wrong with meetings, or at least their volume in the workplace, I don’t know what is.
Unfortunately, there are those that equate meetings with productivity, employee connection, and enhanced communication. Although meetings do encourage all the above, the problem is that they should be conducted not as a habit, but more on an as-needed basis.
At every meeting, you will find at least a few of the below characters on a recurring basis:
The Long-Winded Talker:
These are the ones who believe that the more they talk, the more important they are in the meeting. Little do they realize that everyone is in on their desperate attempts at relevancy, and therefore any slightly useful idea that they might have is usually lost among their penchant for nonsense.
You can either point this out to them or you can watch them make fools of themselves over and over again. It gets kind of entertaining after a while, so it’s your call.
“You see, most of the ‘Meeting Villains’ from above can, if they make a conscious decision, set aside their meeting personalities.
The Jaded Teenager:
The ones that usually roll their eyes throughout the meeting. They don’t want to be there and they also don’t want to meet anyone—ever. At least, that’s the vibe they give off. You really have to grab their attention by pointing things out that are relevant to them to keep their interest. Much like a 14-year-old.
The Incessant Texters:
They are characterized by their independently operating chameleon eyes. They’ve got one eye on the speaker and another on their phone screens. Their constant need to text and stay updated on social media can be a real nuisance that disrupts the whole meeting. Often the speaker at the meeting must ask them to put an end to it, much like a schoolteacher with a student chewing gum. Not the best thing to have happened at a meeting with adults.
El Silencios:
Are they even at the meeting? No one knows for sure. They’re on their seat, yes, but that definitely does not mean they’re at the meeting—their mind is everywhere but in the meeting room. El Silencios speak only when spoken to as if they are in an audience with the Queen of England. The speaker usually has to try and engage them directly to get any sort of feedback from them.
“Pray tell, who is the knight in shining armor that is going to save a meeting from being a poisonous waste of time?
The Concerned:
They would rather try and solve other people’s problems instead of looking to solve any of their own. Whenever someone brings up a topic and tries to discuss it, the Concerned stick their nose in with their opinions on how a problem should be solved while trying to steer clear from any of their own problems. If they would put any of their energy into their own work, they would not only shine at work but would also stop annoying people around them.
The Nay-Sayers:
Have a good idea that will help drive sales? Got a plan that could save the company thousands? Too bad. “You suck and your ideas suck and who the hell do you think you are, trying to be good and benefit the business?” That’s more or less the reaction of the Nay-Sayers to anyone trying to put in some good ideas to help the company. Because unless it comes from them, it’s invalid and stupid.
All the above characters seem to be negative “personalities” that poison any meeting and render it a complete waste of time. Pray tell, who is the knight in shining armor that is going to save a meeting from being a poisonous waste of time?
The answer is simple: all of the above. You see, most of the “Meeting Villains” from above can if they make a conscious decision, set aside their meeting personalities.
If you are the meeting organizer, keep these points in mind to negate the above group’s “special powers.”
Set a proper meeting agenda.
Ask people to silence their phones.
Set a time limit for the meetings and stick to it. The shorter the better.
If a person is not directly involved in your meeting purpose, tell them they can skip the meeting.
When someone drones on for too long or goes off-topic, draw them back in.
These aren’t foolproof ways in which to have a successful meeting, but they at least provide some sort of guidance to keep meetings short, concise, and to the point.
