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I often struggle to say things at meetings - I find there are too many meetings and most of the things said are just a rehash of what was said the previous day, and there is often no conclusions and nothing useful discussed - just people talking for the sake of talking. Often its there is nothing to say of any great importance, or the update is very domain specific, and the people in the meeting won't understand your update anyway. Plus you often get people who will talk away about something as if its very important, that seems very important and often find its misinformation, not relevant, or really not that important - but won't give any useful information. Talking in a code of jargon and not explaining anything well as if there trying keep information.
It feels like many meetings are just pontificating sessions - when all you have to say is nothing has changed much and your just getting on with your Job - and its just about people trying to justify there jobs
However corporate culture is obsessed with meetings, they love meetings - you can get the most useless employee, who raises a few stupid, pointless issues, or turns takes some insignificant point that dominates a meeting - its often bosses judge people on who well they speak at meeting as opposed their IQ, motivation etc.
There anyone out there good at playing the corporate game - can you give us some tips on performing well at meetings
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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We have a lot of meetings too but keep them brief and to the point, and only have them when there is a purpose to collaborate. Is there an agenda provided ahead of time with the invitation? Too many places have regular meetings whether they need it or not. Sharing problems and brainstorming solutions at meetings can allow you to contribute, if you can think about it before the meeting. If the meetings are a waste of time, why contribute and prolong it?
Just fully understand the topic to be discussed and be prepared to ask meaningful value add questions. Be engaged. Just had a mtg yesterday that I was worried about but I prepped and it went well.
[QUOTE=mikeyking;24162304]I often struggle to say things at meetings - I find there are too many meetings and most of the things said are just a rehash of what was said the previous day, and there is often no conclusions and nothing useful discussed - just people talking for the sake of talking. Often its there is nothing to say of any great importance, or the update is very domain specific, and the people in the meeting won't understand your update anyway. Plus you often get people who will talk away about something as if its very important, that seems very important and often find its misinformation, not relevant, or really not that important - but won't give any useful information. Talking in a code of jargon and not explaining anything well as if there trying keep information.
It feels like many meetings are just pontificating sessions - when all you have to say is nothing has changed much and your just getting on with your Job - and its just about people trying to justify there jobs
However corporate culture is obsessed with meetings, they love meetings - you can get the most useless employee, who raises a few stupid, pointless issues, or turns takes some insignificant point that dominates a meeting - its often bosses judge people on who well they speak at meeting as opposed their IQ, motivation etc.
There anyone out there good at playing the corporate game - can you give us some tips on performing well at meetings[/quote]
I often struggle to say things at meetings - I find there are too many meetings and most of the things said are just a rehash of what was said the previous day, and there is often no conclusions and nothing useful discussed - just people talking for the sake of talking. Often its there is nothing to say of any great importance, or the update is very domain specific, and the people in the meeting won't understand your update anyway. Plus you often get people who will talk away about something as if its very important, that seems very important and often find its misinformation, not relevant, or really not that important - but won't give any useful information. Talking in a code of jargon and not explaining anything well as if there trying keep information.
It feels like many meetings are just pontificating sessions - when all you have to say is nothing has changed much and your just getting on with your Job - and its just about people trying to justify there jobs
However corporate culture is obsessed with meetings, they love meetings - you can get the most useless employee, who raises a few stupid, pointless issues, or turns takes some insignificant point that dominates a meeting - its often bosses judge people on who well they speak at meeting as opposed their IQ, motivation etc.
There anyone out there good at playing the corporate game - can you give us some tips on performing well at meetings
You are absolutely correct in your assessment of what goes on in meetings. As a female who has sat in mostly male-dominated meetings, I've noticed that much of what goes on is verbal jockeying for domination, not actual conversation, with some politics thrown in.
Here are my secrets.
Sit back and let the rest of them talk for the most part. Be the quiet one at first. Don't try to compete. When someone else is speaking, look at them intensely as if you are following every word. Nod from time to time, and look at others to see what their reactions are. After a while, you'll be able to do this while thinking about what you plan to eat for dinner that night.
As you are listening with one half of an ear, try to figure out what is the good question that everyone wants to ask but is afraid to ask. Then, at the right moment, YOU ask that question. Everyone will think you are brilliant, and will start discussing the question and you usually don't have to say anything more after that. Yet the impression remains that you greatly contributed to the meeting.
An alternative to the above is to make ONE intelligent statement --again, something that sets off all the yackers to talking some more. If its some kind of solution to a problem, so much the better. It's amazing how many people won't see the obvious solution. You will again be thought of as smart, yet you really don't have to engage more than that in the conversation.
I've been doing this stuff for years, and people on higher levels seem think I know what I'm doing. I know just enough. The above can pretty much all be boiled down to "think of one good question, and ask it at the right time."
You are absolutely correct in your assessment of what goes on in meetings. As a female who has sat in mostly male-dominated meetings, I've noticed that much of what goes on is verbal jockeying for domination, not actual conversation, with some politics thrown in.
Here are my secrets.
Sit back and let the rest of them talk for the most part. Be the quiet one at first. Don't try to compete. When someone else is speaking, look at them intensely as if you are following every word. Nod from time to time, and look at others to see what their reactions are. After a while, you'll be able to do this while thinking about what you plan to eat for dinner that night.
As you are listening with one half of an ear, try to figure out what is the good question that everyone wants to ask but is afraid to ask. Then, at the right moment, YOU ask that question. Everyone will think you are brilliant, and will start discussing the question and you usually don't have to say anything more after that. Yet the impression remains that you greatly contributed to the meeting.
An alternative to the above is to make ONE intelligent statement --again, something that sets off all the yackers to talking some more. If its some kind of solution to a problem, so much the better. It's amazing how many people won't see the obvious solution. You will again be thought of as smart, yet you really don't have to engage more than that in the conversation.
I've been doing this stuff for years, and people on higher levels seem think I know what I'm doing. I know just enough. The above can pretty much all be boiled down to "think of one good question, and ask it at the right time."
I often struggle to say things at meetings - I find there are too many meetings and most of the things said are just a rehash of what was said the previous day, and there is often no conclusions and nothing useful discussed - just people talking for the sake of talking. Often its there is nothing to say of any great importance, or the update is very domain specific, and the people in the meeting won't understand your update anyway. Plus you often get people who will talk away about something as if its very important, that seems very important and often find its misinformation, not relevant, or really not that important - but won't give any useful information. Talking in a code of jargon and not explaining anything well as if there trying keep information.
It feels like many meetings are just pontificating sessions - when all you have to say is nothing has changed much and your just getting on with your Job - and its just about people trying to justify there jobs
However corporate culture is obsessed with meetings, they love meetings - you can get the most useless employee, who raises a few stupid, pointless issues, or turns takes some insignificant point that dominates a meeting - its often bosses judge people on who well they speak at meeting as opposed their IQ, motivation etc.
There anyone out there good at playing the corporate game - can you give us some tips on performing well at meetings
Why are you going to meetings that don't generate anything productive?
Why are you going to meetings that don't generate anything productive?
Do you work in the corporate environment? I do and most meetings I go to don't generate anything productive but you have no choice in attending.
My best advice for meetings is trying to think of a question that no one else has thought of. Also, it is good to know when to pursue a topic or when to drop it but that really depends on your leadership and the mood of the meeting.
Do you work in the corporate environment? I do and most meetings I go to don't generate anything productive but you have no choice in attending.
My best advice for meetings is trying to think of a question that no one else has thought of. Also, it is good to know when to pursue a topic or when to drop it but that really depends on your leadership and the mood of the meeting.
I am in the corporate environment, and I decline meetings fairly regularly. I have gone as far as to schedule a meeting with only myself so that I can claim to have a scheduling conflict.
I don't have a ton of patience for busywork...
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