Meetings

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Author Message Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1025 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 07:16 am:    09-0729 MEETINGS………………….Oh!, Sure!!!! by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Cincinnati, OH Rallies, conventions, convocations, ceremonies, celebrations, services, concerts, recitals, lectures, round-table/panel discussions, travelogues, classes, full staff meeting, monthly meetings, weekly meetings, team meetings, seminars, webinars, teleconferences, huddles, lunch-and-learns, in-house training and all the rest of the “meetings” are great in their place. But wait!! Is it true in your office that many of the really GREAT meetings occur between two or three people; unplanned; by happen stance; in the corridors or cube-side”? A lot I bet-- and we need to observe the meaning and the importance of these casual [???] but highly relevant meetings. Venture to say, many things are done, solved or accomplished in these get-togethers. Ever note the context? Some occur across the corridor, each participant against a wall. Others occur with both people leaning against the same wall. Many occur in doorways, on either side of the water cooler, in the entrance to the rest rooms [love the ones where one person is holding the door partially open-- needs to go, but….]. Still others in the vending area over coffee or other repasts [that’s donut to most of us]. Quite a few take place in the cubes-- one person standing over the other; or both seated across the aisle from each other in opposite cubes. The problem is, how disruptive are you when you “attempt” to negotiate or bowl your way between the meeting participants? Is a mere ‘Pardon me”, enough? Or did you break the spell and interrupt the meeting and exchange of information? Sure puts you at a disadvantage especially when there is no way around these meetings. How important are they-- really? I think these one-on-ones are highly important in that 2 or just a few people are coordinating, discussing, helping one another, coming to a mutual agreement, solution, or exchanging information for the good of their projects. Without agenda or due impetus these folks have seen fit to engage each other and resolve some or several “issues” perhaps minor but still crucial to project success. And there is a good chance one of these informal meetings will spawn others as the information is passed from one to another, in various ways, and for various good reasons-- all to the good of the project. 'Course..........................there is also a chance these impromptu meetings, in the corridors and doorway, are just two people goofing off!! Best advice: Don’t be judgmental regarding the reason for the meeting [you weren’t invited!]-- merely either try to go behind one of the “meeters” [hand gently on shoulder with quiet “Excuse me!”], or pass between with similar, “Excuse me”! On the way back through, repeat Step 1! You ARE a professional, after all! Randy Cox Senior Member Username: randy_cox Post Number: 66 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 02:21 pm:    Ralph, What a coincidence. My family watched "The The Social Life of Public Spaces," by William H Whyte last night. My teenage sons really liked his discovery that impromptu meetings happen in the most congested places. They've seen the same thing at school and in our local public spaces.