Comments on: Meetings Considered Harmful? A Case For Smaller and Fewer Meetings http://www.stormbrew.ca/2009/07/09/meetings-considered-harmful-a-case-for-smaller-and-fewer-meetings/ Tech and Business and Random Thoughts Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:06:41 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Adam J. Humphreys http://www.stormbrew.ca/2009/07/09/meetings-considered-harmful-a-case-for-smaller-and-fewer-meetings/comment-page-1/#comment-67 Adam J. Humphreys Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:27:05 +0000 http://www.stormbrew.ca/?p=64#comment-67 Meetings are a fundamental part of corporate progress. They're how ever useless if what's learned from the brain storming is not applied, and the information gathered is not properly structured for desired goals. I agree that too much bureaucracy, and procrastination is counter productive. When I look at most large companies most of their best work was done in their infancy. Meetings are a fundamental part of corporate progress. They’re how ever useless if what’s learned from the brain storming is not applied, and the information gathered is not properly structured for desired goals. I agree that too much bureaucracy, and procrastination is counter productive. When I look at most large companies most of their best work was done in their infancy.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.stormbrew.ca/2009/07/09/meetings-considered-harmful-a-case-for-smaller-and-fewer-meetings/comment-page-1/#comment-17 Kevin Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:39:16 +0000 http://www.stormbrew.ca/?p=64#comment-17 Good post with some interesting, and well-supported, thoughts. Nothing to argue, but would like to raise a few additional thoughts: 1) I wonder if people should be coming to the meetings with a bit more of an outward focus. In other words: -not looking what they can get out of it, but rather what they can contribute and share -not dominating the time to talk about their "cause" -looking to share with the team the work that they are doing that would be relevant to everyone else -not "zoning out" when discussing something old as it may be new to some in the meeting -contributing to setting goals and celebrating successes 2) Often I find things come up in meetings that everyone was unaware of and unless there is group collaboration, they get missed. 3) Meetings are good for accountability. Having people set goals, claim responsibility for tasks and then having to face the team with their results is good practice. 4) I am fearful of leaning too far on the side of leaving everyone alone and letting them do their work as it does not necessarily mean that the work getting done is going the right direction and also prevents others from knowing what is going on - which is not good when working on larger team projects. 5) You raised a good point that caught my attention. I have found that those who multitask well, also handle meetings well. 6) Some of the most productive meetings I have been a part of solved problems or came up with ideas of which the purpose of the meeting was not to even cover. It really comes down to the fact that everyone is different and wants to participate in communication differently. There is definitely no clear answer to this as it will never please everyone in the group. Instead, all participants need to bend a little to find a model that works best for the team. I am sure that the optimal solution varies from team to team. In generally, I am all for efficiency and effectiveness. But, you have to leave a little room for creativity and collaboration. Good post with some interesting, and well-supported, thoughts. Nothing to argue, but would like to raise a few additional thoughts:

1) I wonder if people should be coming to the meetings with a bit more of an outward focus. In other words:

-not looking what they can get out of it, but rather what they can contribute and share

-not dominating the time to talk about their “cause”

-looking to share with the team the work that they are doing that would be relevant to everyone else

-not “zoning out” when discussing something old as it may be new to some in the meeting

-contributing to setting goals and celebrating successes

2) Often I find things come up in meetings that everyone was unaware of and unless there is group collaboration, they get missed.

3) Meetings are good for accountability. Having people set goals, claim responsibility for tasks and then having to face the team with their results is good practice.

4) I am fearful of leaning too far on the side of leaving everyone alone and letting them do their work as it does not necessarily mean that the work getting done is going the right direction and also prevents others from knowing what is going on – which is not good when working on larger team projects.

5) You raised a good point that caught my attention. I have found that those who multitask well, also handle meetings well.

6) Some of the most productive meetings I have been a part of solved problems or came up with ideas of which the purpose of the meeting was not to even cover.

It really comes down to the fact that everyone is different and wants to participate in communication differently. There is definitely no clear answer to this as it will never please everyone in the group. Instead, all participants need to bend a little to find a model that works best for the team. I am sure that the optimal solution varies from team to team.

In generally, I am all for efficiency and effectiveness. But, you have to leave a little room for creativity and collaboration.

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