{"id":51598,"title":"Meetings About Meetings","description":"Ah yes, another meeting. Not just any meeting\u2014a pre-meeting for the actual meeting that will eventually lead to a follow-up meeting. Somewhere in this Bermuda Triangle of calendar invites, actual work is gasping for air","content":"

Ah yes, another meeting. Not just any meeting\u2014a <\/span>pre-meeting<\/span><\/em> for the <\/span>actual meeting<\/span><\/em> that will eventually lead to a <\/span>follow-up meeting<\/span><\/em>. Somewhere in this Bermuda Triangle of calendar invites, actual work is gasping for air.<\/span><\/p>

At The Stroppy Colleague, we believe in many things: passive-aggressive mugs, oversized jumpers, and the radical idea that maybe\u2014just maybe\u2014we could just get on with the work. Do we really need a 45-minute sync to discuss what we\u2019ll discuss in tomorrow\u2019s sync? Can we not simply\u2026 do the thing?<\/span><\/p>

But since escaping meetings is harder than escaping Janet\u2019s \u201cquick catch-up,\u201d here are five coaching tips to survive the madness:<\/span><\/p>

5 Stroppy Coaching Tips for Unnecessary Meetings<\/span><\/strong><\/p>

  1. Mute Strategically<\/span><\/strong>
    Stay on mute. Stay mysterious. Let your silence scream, \u201cThis could\u2019ve been an email.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/li>

  2. Bring Props<\/span><\/strong>
    Notebook titled <\/span>\u201cBlah Blah Blah\u201d<\/span><\/em>. Mug that says <\/span>\u201cMeeting Declined\u201d<\/span><\/em>. Let your accessories do the talking.<\/span><\/p><\/li>

  3. Set a Stroppy Intention<\/span><\/strong>
    Before the meeting, whisper to yourself: \u201cI will not volunteer. I will not care. I will not cry.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/li>

  4. Create a Bingo Card<\/span><\/strong>
    Tick off phrases like \u201ccircle back,\u201d \u201clow-hanging fruit,\u201d and \u201cJanet\u2019s dog jumped on her keyboard again.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/li>

  5. Reward Yourself<\/span><\/strong>
    Survived the meeting? You\u2019ve earned a biscuit. Or a nap. Or a new tee that says <\/span>\u201cNo More Pre-Meets.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>

    <\/p><\/li><\/ol>

    Let\u2019s stop scheduling conversations about conversations. Let\u2019s start doing the work\u2014and maybe even enjoying it. Or at least pretending convincingly.<\/span><\/p>

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