pak-one

I hate them. It's rare to have really productive meetings, I know that they serve a purpose of disseminating information or discussing important matters, but I can't but think of all the time that is wasted.

How does everyone try to get through these boring meetings?

zobia

start thinking about the delicious food that u gonna have for iftar

ps. lol. i think app ko roza lag raha hai. i mean thread after thread.

X2

I make a list of things I need to know, share, get answers for and focus on those.
Avoid meetings which are not critical and ask for minutes, action items etc to be sent.

Naabigh

Your organization should have a communication plan , identifying and detailing the required communications events , determining the method and frequency of such events.

Mine are hardly boring , most of the time i feel like being in a war zone

I always take meeting minutes and try to build a list of action items , mark the ownership of these action items for further follow ups .

Or may because i have a set routine like , every Saturday , i got to go through weekly status updates , every Monday a joint project managers ' meeting , once in a month ITBC .

Some how if you love , coordinating and liaising .. you gonna enjoy them

you shouldn't be just meeting for the sake of meeting , it should have an agenda !

Monk

RupayHalwa

I struggle to keep awake in meetings. Where possible I try to steer people on to the next topic or something when ppl get stuck talking crap. I REALLY HATE MEETINGS, unless I'm heading them and then I get it over n done with in a hurry.

When I can't hurry things up n just have to sit there listening to rubbish, I doodle or make lists of all the other things I need to do, e.g. shopping list.

To stop myself sleeping, I keep cold water with me and keep sipping.

pak-one

oi I don't want my roza to be messed up.

definitely roza hai but don't hate on my threads, you know I speak the truth.

pak-one

Good call, i was able to create an outline.

This mornings 9 AM meeting was called by my lafanga MD who used the opportunity to discuss the market climate and our position on the league tables. Ended the meeting with "one band, one team" or some sad approximation of a horrible cliche.

pak-one

I pretty much avoid organization wide meetings these days. Problem is that these are deal team meetings which are called at the whim of the Managing Director, who I am beginning to suspect is a buffoon, ok maybe that is unfair..but let's just say that his best days are behind him.

Honestly these meetings have become an issue because I'm getting tired of how things are being run, as in our group is not as hungry and competitive as we were before. My evaluation is scheduled later this year and I'm going to be up for a VP slot. I don't want to be a lackey for the aforementioned MD.

I think what you're describing sounds like client meeting to me. Usually when pitching a deal, the CFO or the COO makes some snarky comment or tries to challenge our numbers, but it's still a lot more stimulating than a one man monologue.

X2

pakone, i know what you mean, working for incomptenet noncompoops is no fun. Dont tell me he is a lifer who has been at the same company for 2 decades and has a tunnel vision that just does not allow him to see anything else

pak-one

^

Bingo on all accounts. Both of his VPs are sharp cookies but due to configuration of the firm, have to play lackey to Mr. resting on his laurels. The VP slot is something that I don't want but I'm in line for it anyway. I'm exploring exits opportunities including an office shift, to going to a Fund directly.

X2

living though the same amigo, wound up in the situation after a reorg and shuffle, looking to make an exit, because status quo mediocracy and spending all energies setting low expectations and managing up may be the thing to do for Mr. coast until retirement in a few years, but I am not going to grow this way. We actually have been at odds on strategy for some time now.

pak-one

^

Feel the pain. I'm always a believer in exiting when such situations arise. Returning to the original point of the post, I find myself disconnected from the team because of these very reasons. I'm still going to do all the work, but the heart is not going to be in it - meaning that I will question him a lot less, become more of "quiet" team player while seeking out opps. in the time away from the office.

It's too bad, because I work with some really intelligent people. Perhaps a smaller shop with partner track might fill the void if I end up exiting..to be seen.

PyariCgudia

Welcome to beauracracy (jeez that took 10 tries to spell and its still not right)

When I go to one of those meetings, I pipe up as much as I can and try to take it what direction EYE think is productive.

Which means I end up getting asked to chair this and that, and so now I just keep my mouth closed.

Frozen~Oxygen

how does one become good at running meetings i.e. improve negotiating/communication skills?