Meeting Mindset

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This was ingrained into me years ago when I did strategy consulting.  I still find it useful.

Calling a meeting:

  • Always specify three things in the invite:
    • Objective
    • Agenda (ideally timeboxing each agenda item)
      • Last agenda item is always summing up/next steps
    • Expected Outcomes
  • Failure to include these items means:
    • people you invite should consider themselves optional attendees
    • you cannot hold people accountable that choose to skip your meeting
  • Being an optional attendee to any meeting means you can skip it
  • Always ask invitees to suggest an alternate date/time if they cannot attend
  • If an invitee rejects your invite without suggesting an alternate date/time they are not interested in attending and will reject future invitations, even if you reschedule the meeting
  • All this stuff makes calling a meeting difficult – forcing you to think about whether you really need it

Showing Up:

  • Early is On Time
  • On Time is Late
  • Late is Unacceptable
    • My employer used to lock the meeting room door when the meeting started. Late attendees would have to knock to gain entry (and were usually ignored)

Leaving the meeting:

  • If the meeting starts running over attendees can get up and leave, regardless of what’s happening in the meeting
  • Keep your laptop closed unless you’re using it to take notes or doing something related to the meeting