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Well in this case, it was one particular person who has a reputation for
belaboring a point. She did this at a meeting of mine once as well. What
specifically happened was that instead of discussing the project, she
started discussing the procedure for handling projects in general.
-----Original Message-----
From: Butler, Darren J CTR USAF AFMC 584 CBSS/GBHAC
[mailto:Darren -dot- Butler -dot- ctr -at- Robins -dot- af -dot- mil]
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 1:38 PM
To: Downing, David; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: Meetings -- ARRGGHHH!!!
David Downing groaned:
>> several people got hung up on one specific point , which didn't even
concern me.<<
Obviously, that one point concerned *them* tremendously, and you can't
always determine if your colleagues are mired in minutia or expressing
legitimate concerns. Whether Sneetches should have stars or not is
trivial, unless you are a Sneetch.
In any case, toppling the meeting's oligarchy usually requires stealth
and cunning.
You could try this play:
Chime-in to the conversation by telling the meeting chair that you agree
that the point-in-question is so important, that another meeting is
needed to discuss it - and then tactfully nominate the person who has
dominated the "discussion" as the chair of that meeting. Then sit back
and watch for either nods of approval or a mass retreat from that
*oh-so-vital* sub-topic.
The "Oh, I feel sick, I think those donuts are off" trick is a good
diversion and/or escape plan.
-Darren
-----Original Message-----
From:
techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot-
com] On Behalf Of Downing, David
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 11:55 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Meetings -- ARRGGHHH!!!
I just got dragged into a meeting that I was told would last 15 minutes
and went on for 45 because several people got hung up on one specific
point, which didn't even concern me. I just read an article in that same
issue of INTERCOM about effective meetings, but nobody else seems to be
aware of the principles discussed therein, or is unwilling to enforce
them. The problem is, I wasn't in a position to do anything about it
because I was an invited guest. What do you all do when you get into
situations like that besides just grit your teeth?
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Darren -dot- Butler -dot- ctr -at- robins -dot- af -dot- mil -dot-
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