PhotoCredit: Attention
One of the hot topics of the pandemic has been the possible watershed moment for remote working. In many respects this is self-evident, the clear result of necessity being a wonderful catalyst for invention. In other respects it's a solid maybe. The global economy cannot seemingly decide: is remote work; flexible work; or the compromise of a 4-day work week inevitable, or are we all in on a "return" to work? It's all great fodder for click-tastic-bait headlines and something everyone seems to be right about!
Meanwhile, awash in a sea of burnout, we seem to be skipping over the topic of our inefficient work environment. The collision of the modern workplace with a rampant virus has only amplified the productivity issues that existed. That may or may not mean we need to think differently about where we work. It is, however, imperative that we improve how we work. We need to call time-out on the presenteeism practices that dominate the corporate world.
There are so many things that fall in this category. I will endeavor to talk to a few over the coming weeks. First off the rank: meetings.
We are all guilty of agenda-less meetings where people turn up un-prepared and immediately disengage. Don't hate the player: most meetings are likely 50% longer and 50% more inefficient than they need to be. In a universe where skilled talent is scarce and expensive, every minute of productive brain power should be spent on-task or up-skilling.
The rally-cry is to reframe what has become one of the biggest sources of waste in the modern economy. We can all own our part in this. Start with this HBR article to think about meetings you host. Even better, start a conversation with your team about where your meetings could be improved. And best, see if you can cancel one meeting a week and cut meeting time in half. I'm personally a huge fan of the 15 minute meeting.
Time in person, whether on a zoom or IRL, is invaluable when done correctly and intentionally. Most meetings are neither of these. When in doubt, please, just don't.