Top 5 Worst Things To Say In A Meeting

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Comment by Rob Reintges on August 10, 2010 at 10:44am

Here's a #5... Meeting cancelled ! after folks have spent the last 45 minutes walking & riding Metro in the midday Washington heat to get to the darn thing.

Comment by Susan Pcola-Davis on June 10, 2010 at 4:54pm

What is number 5? From: "Top 5 Worst Things To Say In A Meeting." Or am I missing something?

Comment by GovLoop on May 14, 2010 at 3:00pm

We use Google Docs, a Top 5 list, and a weekly conference call.

Comment by Sterling Whitehead on May 14, 2010 at 2:02pm

@GovLoop -- good point on the weekly status updates. Those are useful.

I'm curious -- how do Andy, Megan (spelling?), and you do your weekly status updates? Phone? Email? Shared task management systems (like Remember the Milk)?

Comment by Tricia on May 14, 2010 at 1:18pm

I was at a meeting once where another Government agency sent over an individual to make a presentation on a HRIS update. I know he was hoping to make the presentation to our Division Directors, but they did not want to attend when I scheduled it, most of the Division Directors sent people in their place. When we started to go around the table when he asked for names, he says to the first person "‘What is your job title? I usually make these presentations to someone higher up than you.”

Comment by Gary Berg-Cross on May 14, 2010 at 9:51am

I was at a meeting in which we a number of us senior managers were meeting a new VP for the first time. He opened with, "I always get the last word."

Meetings with him did not always surface issues in a constructive way and 2 years later he was on the way out having delivered virtually nothing to a 5000 person organization and he was left to complain over how poorly he had been treated.

Comment by GovLoop on May 14, 2010 at 9:36am

Sterling - Only debate I have on that is weekly status meetings. While kind of lame, I actually loved it in previous jobs because was a chance for all of us to get together over a cup of coffee.

Comment by Sterling Whitehead on May 14, 2010 at 9:30am

#1 Rule for Meetings: Only call a meeting if you are going to make a decision. Communicate through other means if no decision will be made.

I wish I remembered where I heard that one because it's one of my favorites.

Comment by Scott Span on May 13, 2010 at 1:07pm

I love top 5 lists. The worst thing I've heard someone say in a meeting is "...I'm sorry to tell you, however today is your last day, all of you. The company has gone bankrupt. Please pack your things by noon..."

On the top 5 note, I was recently asked to compile a top 5 for a colleague:

Guest Post: 5 Things Gen Y Needs to Know and No One is Telling Them

You’re not the best thing sliced bread!: It’s ok to express new ideas, to request new challenges, and to want to gain a promotion; however, respect the politics, culture and communication practices of your organization. Understand opportunities may present themselves – but you won’t be the CEO overnight.

If you have needs, communicate them: Don’t get frustrated if your organization doesn’t do everything the way you think is most beneficial to success. Don’t assume those around you are mind readers. Speak up and communicate your ideas for positive changes, and do so in a manner appropriate for your organization.

You can’t do it all alone: Gen Y’s attachment to technology and drive for quick success often impedes the capacity to forge relationships with other generations. Some people from other generations may place more value on face to face communication as a way to build lasting relationships over time. Some day you will have your bosses’ job; however, not yet. Instead of focusing on what you will do when you get their job, focus on building relationships with them now. You’ll need support and mentoring as you progress in your career.

Pay attention to the culture: You’ll never find an organization that offers everything on your “work life balance” list. Decide what’s most important to you. Two of the biggest complaints employers have of Gen Y is that they demand too much too fast, and they often leave the company within a few years. If you understand the organizational culture, you can determine if it matches your needs; it then becomes much easier to avoid these and other obstacles.

Learn when to shut up: Open communication is a valued Gen Y trait; however, that doesn’t mean say everything that is on your mind. This doesn’t mean don’t be yourself. However, sometimes it’s best to keep certain religious, political and social views out of the workplace. Be cautious to not over criticize those you work with, particularly in public. When utilizing forms of social media, be careful what you say about your organization and those who work there.

So what is the moral of the story? Gen Y is a fast growing group within the workforce. They are an innovative, talented, and ambitious generation. Gen Y can be a positive asset if properly understood. Understanding comes from communication. Gen Y needs to take some responsibility for increasing cross generational communication and understanding, and a first step in doing this is to acknowledge that they too still have much to learn.

Comment by Srinidhi Boray on May 11, 2010 at 4:26pm

what is this meeting about, aah!! yes I remember
all please talk and make only consensus, I alone will make opinions
gosh got to run another meeting
hey you! take the meeting minutes, i will be busy talking all the time
close the door this meeting is about transparency
and, yes this meeting is about cost saving

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