Comments on: Meetings are Like Goldfish http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/ Just A Thought...on Ajax, usability, software development and anything else that catches my fancy. Fri, 05 Dec 2008 09:17:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 By: ntschutta.com » Blog Archive » You Have 11 Minutes http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-85 ntschutta.com » Blog Archive » You Have 11 Minutes Thu, 19 Jan 2006 02:27:38 +0000 http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-85 [...] You know, I always knew my day was pretty chopped up, but man, I never guessed it was this bad. I stumbled across “Why modern offices only let you work for 11 minutes” via this entry on Slow Leadership and I had to post this. I’ve already said that Meetings are Like Goldfish (seriously, open slots on my calendar just don’t last - a good week has me spending “only” 2-3 hours a day in meetings…) and I was happy to see the folks at Signal vs. Noise chime in with Meetings considered harmful which touches on an article titled Bored meetings. Can’t help but notice that the Minnesota reference! [...] […] You know, I always knew my day was pretty chopped up, but man, I never guessed it was this bad. I stumbled across “Why modern offices only let you work for 11 minutes” via this entry on Slow Leadership and I had to post this. I’ve already said that Meetings are Like Goldfish (seriously, open slots on my calendar just don’t last - a good week has me spending “only” 2-3 hours a day in meetings…) and I was happy to see the folks at Signal vs. Noise chime in with Meetings considered harmful which touches on an article titled Bored meetings. Can’t help but notice that the Minnesota reference! […]

]]> By: ntschutta.com » Blog Archive » What if http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-75 ntschutta.com » Blog Archive » What if Thu, 22 Dec 2005 02:34:04 +0000 http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-75 [...] ntschutta.com Just A Thought « Meetings are Like Goldfish [...] […] ntschutta.com Just A Thought « Meetings are Like Goldfish […]

]]> By: Nate http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-73 Nate Wed, 21 Dec 2005 02:38:42 +0000 http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-73 Few meetings require more than half a dozen participants... I think people suffer from a couple of afflictions. One is just plain CYA - invite everyone so that no one can complain later they weren't invited. Of course bad PowerPoint works the same way, if I put it in the presentation I have your tacit approval - sounds like something I've heard from the current administration (well, we did tell a few members of Congress so it's perfectly OK to spy on citizens). Two, it spreads the blame. If I am in charge of something but I'm too chicken to make a tough call, I just get 10-15 people in a room so if it turns out I'm wrong, I can say "well, WE made this decision so if I'm an idiot so are all of you..." Of course this is just a special case of CYA! Three, people want to keep everyone informed but sometimes that best accomplished with a 1-1 or just email out the notes to a wider audience. Yes, I remember when I used to like meetings...now I mostly loathe them. I've had a few weeks where I'm pushing 30 hours....and I still have "real" work to get done! Few meetings require more than half a dozen participants… I think people suffer from a couple of afflictions. One is just plain CYA - invite everyone so that no one can complain later they weren’t invited. Of course bad PowerPoint works the same way, if I put it in the presentation I have your tacit approval - sounds like something I’ve heard from the current administration (well, we did tell a few members of Congress so it’s perfectly OK to spy on citizens).

Two, it spreads the blame. If I am in charge of something but I’m too chicken to make a tough call, I just get 10-15 people in a room so if it turns out I’m wrong, I can say “well, WE made this decision so if I’m an idiot so are all of you…” Of course this is just a special case of CYA!

Three, people want to keep everyone informed but sometimes that best accomplished with a 1-1 or just email out the notes to a wider audience. Yes, I remember when I used to like meetings…now I mostly loathe them. I’ve had a few weeks where I’m pushing 30 hours….and I still have “real” work to get done!

]]> By: jjathman http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-71 jjathman Mon, 19 Dec 2005 01:25:22 +0000 http://ntschutta.com/jat/2005/12/15/meetings-are-like-goldfish/#comment-71 I dream of a day when I only go to meetings where I am a *vital* member of the meeting. Don't invite me just because I might have some interest in it. If you need input from me, ask me after the meeting!!!!! I remember back when I actually looked forward to meetings because they helped me fill up my day. Oh to be a lowly peon again! I'm also convinced that meetings with more than 10 people where everyone is expected to contribute are worthless. These are sometimes called brainstorming sessions, but they turn into 10 separate conversations. Boo big meetings. I dream of a day when I only go to meetings where I am a *vital* member of the meeting. Don’t invite me just because I might have some interest in it. If you need input from me, ask me after the meeting!!!!!

I remember back when I actually looked forward to meetings because they helped me fill up my day. Oh to be a lowly peon again! I’m also convinced that meetings with more than 10 people where everyone is expected to contribute are worthless. These are sometimes called brainstorming sessions, but they turn into 10 separate conversations. Boo big meetings.

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