I work in a field that is extremely meeting-centric. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. A good deal of my time is spent in meetings, much more time than I would prefer.
Now, sometimes those meetings are productive. These are the meetings where an agenda is set, where objectives are clarified, and where timelines are created. A successful meeting is one where you leave the meeting knowing the next steps and aware of the tools you need to complete those steps. Decisions have been made and roles have been clarified.
Unfortunately, I’ve been attending far too many meetings lately where clarity and focus are in short supply. Meetings where information is shared half-heartedly and with no particular goal or reason to be discerned. Meetings that seem like endless exercises in preaching to the choir.
Again, sometimes meetings can be important and useful. But if a person works for an organization that is so laden with meetings that he or she doesn’t have time to make real decisions, or to accomplish anything tangible, then something is wrong. This is all too common in our field, and it’s not OK. It needs to change. It’s time for a little less conversation and a little more action.
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Search all the parks in all your cities,
You'll find no statues of committees.
-- Gilbert K. Chesterton
Then again, what do I know?
Good Chesterton Quote!
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