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I avoid meetings like the plague. Even when I was running a company with 80 people I would ask if I was necessary or my input was necessary. If not I wouldn't a

I avoid meetings like the plague. Even when I was running a company with 80 people I would ask if I was necessary or my input was necessary. If not I wouldn't accept. Meetings are like teamwork trips. They are the illusion of progress. There are situations where they are necessary but nothing beat ongoing discussions around actual work.

zeveb 10y ago
Did you read the full article? Meetings are where a group comes together and adds to its knowledge as a group. Nowadays we have things like IRC, which lets us do a lot remotely, but there's nothing like sitting in a room with other people to examine an issue. Poorly-run meetings give the illusion of progress, but I posit that well-run meetings are actually a good thing. They shouldn't be gab-fests; they should be intentional, with reasons for existing and with some sort of output (e.g. 'the design for the new subsystem' or 'the team will understand and be prepared to address the causes for our failure to ship').
- ThomPete 10y ago
  Yes i did and i dont agree with that description of meetings in reality. Nothing beats working side by side, but meetings is not working side by side its mostly talking about things which could be communicated in a mail.
HeyLaughingBoy 10y ago
I've always thought that the most valuable thing I taught my reports was to not accept meeting invitations by default. Ask: 1) What's the agenda? 2) I don't see why I need to be there. Do you really need me? 3) If there isn't a solid YES to (2), then answer "I'll keep that time open. Call me if something comes up that needs my input." It's amazing how many unnecessary people are invited to meetings under the guise of "he may be interested/have input." Respect people's time and don't waste it!
jwatte 10y ago
Teamwork exercises actually do work to gel a new team, despite everyone rolling their eyes!
- ThomPete 10y ago
  Not if the team aren't already good at teamwork in my experience.

zeveb 10y ago

Did you read the full article? Meetings are where a group comes together and adds to its knowledge as a group. Nowadays we have things like IRC, which lets us do a lot remotely, but there's nothing like sitting in a room with other people to examine an issue. Poorly-run meetings give the illusion of progress, but I posit that well-run meetings are actually a good thing. They shouldn't be gab-fests; they should be intentional, with reasons for existing and with some sort of output (e.g. 'the design for the new subsystem' or 'the team will understand and be prepared to address the causes for our failure to ship').

ThomPete 10y ago
Yes i did and i dont agree with that description of meetings in reality. Nothing beats working side by side, but meetings is not working side by side its mostly talking about things which could be communicated in a mail.

HeyLaughingBoy 10y ago

I've always thought that the most valuable thing I taught my reports was to not accept meeting invitations by default. Ask: 1) What's the agenda? 2) I don't see why I need to be there. Do you really need me? 3) If there isn't a solid YES to (2), then answer "I'll keep that time open. Call me if something comes up that needs my input." It's amazing how many unnecessary people are invited to meetings under the guise of "he may be interested/have input." Respect people's time and don't waste it!

jwatte 10y ago

Teamwork exercises actually do work to gel a new team, despite everyone rolling their eyes!

ThomPete 10y ago
Not if the team aren't already good at teamwork in my experience.