BROKEN MEETINGS (and how you'll fix them)

Broken Meetings (and, how you will fix them) by Merlin Mann 43Folders.com Broken Meetings, by Merlin Mann is ©2010 Merlin Mann. It is licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND License. Based on a work at www.43folders.com.

ODEO OFFICE THE CANNERY, 3RD ST. October, 2005

Petty Crime vs. Manslaughter

Hell is other people. Jean-Paul Sartre, No Exit (1944)

Hell is other people’s meetings. Me, Here (2010)

“Tim”

[kill me hand]

Here’s the problem.

Nobody thinks their meetings suck.

Ask around.

Treating The “Meh” VIRUS (Before it kills again.)

There are many crummy reasons to call a meeting.

Bored Dunno what else to do Everybody calls meetings Free snacks Cool new laser pointer Prefer to be seated Need to just think out loud Light in here’s so ﬂattering Not sure Meetings are what I “do.”

For someone on the maker’s schedule, having a meeting is like throwing an exception. It doesn’t merely cause you to switch from one task to another; it changes the mode in which you work. Paul Graham bit.ly/9KHXHf

Where’s it hurt, people? • Distracted & Bored • Unprepared • Apathetic • Late, Late, Late • Ragnarök

Ow. This does hurt. • Lack of Focus • Lack of Preparation • Lack of Care • Lack of Respect • Lack of Parenting

Buh? “Parenting?”

Yes. “Parenting.”

Every meeting needs a Parent Because, it’s not all about You any more. (Sorry.)

Key Thing Don’t wait for others to do the right thing. You first.

Demand First-Person Transitive “I verb noun.”

Verbs are your job. So, why not verb your meetings?

Two Heroes.

MR. MASON MR. HAND PHOTO: THOMAS HAWK (RAY WALSTON) http://i-0.us/cYTsdJ PHOTO: FAST TIMES

MR. MASON PHOTO: THOMAS HAWK bit.ly/cYTsdJ

MR. HAND (RAY WALSTON) PHOTO: FAST TIMES

Like, HOW?

10 Patterns to Improve Meetings 1. Purpose 6. Timekeeper 2. Agenda 7. No Ratholes 3. Grazing 8. Focus 4. Edges 9. Follow-Up 5. Guests 10. Consistency

1. Purpose (set it and stick to it)

2. Agenda (set it and stick to it)

3. Grazing Policy (set it and stick to it)

4. Edges (set them and stick to them)

5. Guests (schedule them and stick to it)

6. Timekeeper (set “acts” and stick to it)

7. No Ratholes (set expectation then stick to it)

8. Focus (restate purpose and stick to it)

9. Follow-Up (set accountability then stick to it)

10. Be Consistent (yes: stick to that, most of all)

Caution! Some of these will get you killed or fired.

Resolved. Nothing matters until it gets: • a budget • a deadline • one owner (otherwise it’s just a poster of a boat)

People aren’t dumb. They just chase Big Dogs.

I know, I know: “Too much!” Fine. Start here…

The Four Quick Wins: 1. One Agenda 2. Two Hard Edges 3. Ruthless Grazing Policy 4. Transitive Follow-Up

Meeting adjourned. Thanks.

Broken Meetings (and, how you will fix them) by Merlin Mann 43Folders.com Broken Meetings by Merlin Mann is ©2010 Merlin Mann. It is licensed for reuse under a Creative Commons BY-NC-ND License. Based on a work at www.43folders.com.

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BROKEN MEETINGS (and how you'll fix them)

by merlinmann on Oct 06, 2010

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