Less Meetings – More Collaboration

Let’s book a meeting. Let’s talk about it on the conference call. Let’s reconvene at next week’s meeting. Let’s discuss the next time we have a team call. Here’s a thought, let’s figure out why we have so many meetings and calls in the first place.

I have a colleague who attends an all-day full team status meeting once a week. Once a week?! Full day!?! I am a huge supporter of collaboration and teamwork. It’s critical that your company is strong inside before it can be strong outside, but an entire day in a meeting? I challenge there could be a better way.

Do you know why you are attending meetings today?

Has the reason for each been clearly articulated? Is there an obvious summary of desired outcomes? Will a decision be made on who does what by when? Will the call start and end on time? Do you know why you’re in the meeting at all?

I work with a guy who never has a phone call last more than 10 minutes. We get a ton accomplished in that time and move on. If we realize we've missed something or an item needs more clarification, we get back on the phone. Each of us has our agenda ready, action items listed, and we get to work.

Try this for a week

Cut the time allotted for each meeting and conference call by 50%. Then in a few weeks, cut them in half again. So the one-hour session you have this afternoon would become 15 minutes. You may claim that’s impossible. Have you tried it?

More meetings do not mean more efficiency or alignment. In a matter of a few short weeks, you will realize you are giving everyone more time to think and create rather than prepare and attend meetings and calls. You will see more collaboration, more impromptu discussions, and more ideas being shared. You will get more work done.

Or you could get to your next meeting.
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Kneale Mann | People + Priority = Profit

What Do We Really Need?

Look around your house. Look around your office. Check out all the options on your car. Do you need all that stuff? There are a billion people who won't eat today yet we complain about not having the latest gadget or toy. And we spend our waking hours going from meeting to meeting filling time with tasks so we try and reach a goal to then be unsatisfied and set another one.

I'm not trying to be cynical but perhaps it's time we slow down and figure out what we really need in our lives. I overheard a couple at a coffee shop last week having a heated argument over the fact he didn't have the latest smartphone. Louis CK has a great rant about this. We have the patience of an infant and we can't wait two seconds for an email to send. I love his line; "Is the speed of light to slow for you?"

The Bottom Line isn't Money

If we focus solely on a financial or material gain, I think we're missing the point. Sure, life isn't free, we need money to buy things and eat, but are we chasing the wrong goal? Are we truly focused on what we actually need rather than what we think we need to fit in with others?

In our quest to succeed and grow, perhaps we need keep close to mind what we really need or we'll never stop long enough to enjoy the ride. I can assure you, that new smartphone or leather wrapped steering wheel isn't the answer.

Some thoughts as you identify what you really need.
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Kneale Mann | Leadership Strategist, consultant, writer, speaker, executive coach facilitating performance growth with leaders, management, and teams.

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