Meetings – the imminent Downfall of Corporate America

I have come to the conclusion that the “meeting” is going to be the downfall of Corporate America. When does anyone get anything done? And why do you need so many people in one meeting to make a decision?

Years ago, I was in what in retrospect will probably be the best “job” of my career of jobs. (not to be confused with having a single career, my career has always been to have a job).  Well anyway, although I went through several Deans, at this job in higher education, one Dean said it best. “You know your job better than I do so I’ll leave you to it.” And that was that.  No 1-1’s ever.  If he had a question he’d simply walk into my office and ask.  If I had a question he was rarely the one I’d go to.  He didn’t know operations.  That was my job.  So when I had a question I would call someone else in operations, on the phone, and they would answer their phone, and we would talk and then the issue was solved.  Just like that. No meetings for discussion, just a phone call.  I did arrange for one meeting per month with colleagues to discuss anything that needed discussed, always with food, because why else would anyone come.  Ideas were shared, food was eaten, team building achieved, and back to work.  Sometimes there was no reason to meet again the next month.  I mean seriously, just do your job!  Did I need a weekly check in from my boss. NO. Like why would I need that?  I had a job to do. He trusted me to do my job and I did it.

I don’t know what’s going on in the world today in this area. In my new role I manage people’s calendars. It has to be one of the worst jobs in the world. My main purpose is to arrange meetings that are impossible to arrange. One person under my purview accepts 4 or more meetings at a time. So, is he going to all 4 meetings? And who put all four meetings on there in the first place and overlap them. How is one supposed to interpret that?  Are they just place holders or as an FYI and he’ll dial in/attend if he doesn’t have another meeting? Does that mean I can put another meeting there that maybe he would like to attend instead? And then if you have to skip that day and keep looking because he has no available time and then when you go to when there’s an available time and then they say “I need it sooner” – well then clear your fucking calendar. (sorry I’m channeling Roy from Ted Lasso) – I swear I’m turning into Roy (you really need to watch that show)

A few weeks ago, when tasked with arranging a 10 person meeting, proudly having found a time rather easily, after a few days someone responds and says “please change this meeting, I am out of the office this day.”  First of all, you have to ask yourself, how important is this person?  Is she “required” to be there?  Why is she telling ME that she is out of the office.  Shouldn’t she tell the person who is having the meeting that she is unavailable and let that person tell me to change it?  How am I supposed to know her “clout” and necessity of being in the meeting (I have since asked that they make a “required” and “optional” list. ) Also I responded to her, “please update your calendar with your availability.”  Then she said, “yea, I’m bad at that.”  I’m sorry, WHAT?

Bad at that?  BAD AT THAT?

I would never unfriend someone because of their political views. I may hide them or unfollow but not unfriend.  But not updating your calendar correctly and then expecting all 10-20 people to rearrange a meeting because YOU’RE bad at that?  Unfriend.

Here’s the issue, as I see it.  Nobody just does their job anymore.  Everyone wants a “say” in decision making.  Why?  Is that your job?  No, that’s another person’s job.  Do you trust them to do their job or not?

My suggestion, to combat this issue, which must have started with everyone receiving a participation trophy when they were younger, call the person you need a decision from. If you need another person on that call conference them in. If you need more than that then someone isn’t doing their job right. Or if you must have a mini meeting with two or three decision makers, record the meeting, and if the others really need to have a say they can watch the recording. I mean this is the most ridiculous approach to work that I have ever experienced in my 45 year career.  RIDICULOUS.

1,257 days until retirement. I’ll mark Out of Office..forever on my calendar.

xoxoxox