The Meeting That Could Have Been An Email

So here we are, the world is insane, some of us work from home and there is a renewed effort to bring workers back into the office. But what does that mean for most of us?

Well, it’s Meetingville.

Photo Credit: @jasongoodman_youxventures

Loads of meetings to keep everyone on the same page about everything that is going on. Tons of emails in our inboxes but no matter what but the world must stop for that meeting at 1 PM, then another at 2:30 PM but wait it was just pushed to 4:00 PM. And the 4:30 meeting that always lasts until 5:30 was just switched to Friday.

These are important meetings I’m talking about! They are going to say be held by the same people that were on the 10 different meetings. And let’s face it, each meeting is about the same thing. Maybe a different detail but ultimately the same thing.

This is not to say Working from home is the problem. The problem is micromanagement because not all managers know how to handle their employees without checking in on them as often as possible and those same managers are used to having... meetings.

​But let’s be real, those in office meetings were their bagel breakfasts and hangout afternoons. They weren’t to get real work done. Because office gossip has to come from somewhere and those are the perfect opportunities to get it started.

So how does anyone actually get work done?

Image Credit: @chuklanov

For myself, it’s during that same meeting I’m supposed to be listening in on. I’m still working and I’m usually not paying attention, because I know there is an email out there that said the same things you just said, so I’ll just refer back when needed, or I wait until it's all said and done and simple send an email with my question that is probably going to benefit every other person whose hour was wasted by the discussions of who is taking a vacation instead of the major project on hand.

​Meanwhile, there is many out there wondering how to get out of the new 47 meetings they were just invited to. Playing mental gymnastics to decipher which meeting their boss is going to care they actually attended or not.

So why aren't we using email? It's also a convoluted mess with email chains that take on alternate issues without actually getting the original answer or task completed. And with the multitude most of us get daily, it's understandable some assume jumping on a "quick call" is going to help the disorganization that has now become the 9-5.

Is there a solution to all of this insanity? Yes, there is...cut down on the meetings with a summarized email, provide important information in a centralized location and let people WORK!

Are you swamped with meetings too? How do you get YOUR job done?