Most meetings are DIRE.
One of the main reasons is that too many people attend.
So, it’s not a ‘Meeting Of Minds’. Instead, it’s ‘Deciding By Committee’.
These attendees will be one of four types. Coincidentally, their initials spell DIRE!
Decision makers – the people we need there, so we can make decisions
Interested people – people who tag along, because they’re interested in the meeting/topic
Randomers – nobody knows why they’re there. They just … well, are
Experts – subject matter ninjas, who explain the technical stuff
Of these, who needs to attend?
Decision makers – yes. We can’t make a decision without them
Interested people – nope. They can’t help make the decision; nor supply any expertise
Randomers – definitely not!
Experts – yes, but only when we need their expertise
So, only invite Ds and, if needed, Es. You can always send the ‘Actions Agreed’ to the Is and Rs if you/they want.
What I’m basically saying is… use DIRE to make your meetings less dire!
Action Point
Preview today’s meetings. Ensure you have the right people – and only the right people – attending. Uninvite the others in a beautiful, charming way (they probably won’t mind!)
Do this, and your meeting will be faster, better – and is much more likely to lead to decisions and actions.