Recent Uproar (Executive Summary below)

from Able Leader, August 2006

by Steve Kaye

We had a big uproar the other day.

You see, one of Olivia's responsibilities was to attend meetings that were held without an agenda.

So, she went to one.

And she came back mad. In fact, she put her foot down (paw, actually) and announced that she refuses to go to another one.

Here's why.

1) They behaved like mice.

Every cat knows that if you want to catch something, you have to hunt it.

That means you start by knowing what you want. Then you find it and catch it.

But the people in the meeting had no goal, no plan, no process -- nothing. Instead, they reacted to whatever noise someone made. They nibbled on everything and focused on nothing. They ignored clues, hints, and warnings.

2) No one asked her to participate.

Olivia went prepared to be part of the action.

She sharpened her claws, put on her best fur, and fluffed up her whiskers. But they ignored her. No one greeted her. No one asked for her ideas. No one even looked at her. So she did what others do when they're ignored: she took a nap.

3) It was difficult to nap.

Only a few people talked. And they used loud voices.

While this prevented the other attendees from talking, it made it difficult to sleep. Then they told jokes, which caused outbursts of laughter.

Olivia hates jokes when she's napping, because the laughter jolts her awake. Some of the people didn't seem to enjoy the jokes either, because the jokes were about them.

4) They dropped what they caught.

Cats know that once you catch something, you bring it home. After all, that's why you go through the trouble of catching it. But these people dropped everything - decisions, ideas, agreements - and rushed off to talk about something else. They didn't play with it. They didn't write it down. They didn't even seem to know that they had caught something.

5) They didn't take breaks.

Olivia noticed that as the meeting wore on, some of the people became uncomfortable. They fidgeted in their seats, they took short breaths, they grimaced. Olivia detests lengthy marathon meetings that go on and on without a break.

So, what are your meetings like?

Would they upset a house cat? If so, they most likely upset the people who attend.

By the way, you can meet Olivia at: http://www.stevekaye.com/staff-olivia.html

Call me to talk about making your meetings profitable.

Steve Kaye 714-528-1300

Executive Summary
(and more key points)

1) Leaders start with a vision, set goals, and then make plans. This applies to business, life, and (of course) meetings.

2) People resent wasting time. When trapped in a meeting, they will make lists, write letters, and doodle.

3) Your job is to put the people in your meeting to work.

4) If only a few people are talking in a meeting, you can send the rest back to their desks.

5) A meeting is a business activity, not a party. If it sounds like a party, it's not a meeting.

6) Once you have a result, seize it.

7) People need frequent breaks. After about 45 to 60 minutes, they're unable to concentrate.

8) Olivia is no longer available to attend meetings without an agenda. Instead, now we are sending a begonia.

Much success,

Steve Kaye
714-528-1300