Get advice on how to deal with jerks at work Check out the book 'Jerks At Work' and other titles by Ken Lloyd Ph.D. Return to the JerksAtWork.com homepage Learn more about Ken Lloyd, Ph.D. Submit a question to Ken Lloyd, Ph.D.
 

You asked, Ken answers ...

This item is filed under these categories:
Meetings Assertiveness E-mail

I am a manager, and whenever I have meetings that include other managers, most of them show up late. I have spoken to them about this, and I don’t think it’s fair to the others to wait for these stragglers to arrive, but that’s what I end up doing. How can I get them here on time?



Before reviewing the steps to get people to arrive at your meetings on time, the best step is to look at your meetings. Take a critical look at their content, length, and objectives, along with the need for each invited individual to actually attend.

One of the most important questions about any meeting is whether it needs to be held at all. If your meetings focus on updates and reviews, they could possibly be replaced with a memos, phone calls, or email. Meetings tend to be more effective for topics that require decision making or problem solving.

In addition, if you delay the start of your meetings until the stragglers arrive, you are rewarding the stragglers and punishing those who show up on time. This will cause more and more managers to show up late.

Let the potential attendees know when your meetings will start and end, and then stick to it. Send out a reminder before each meeting, along with the agenda. At the meeting itself, keep the discussion moving, on track, and on time. If certain managers still come late to your meetings, perhaps you should have a meeting with their managers.



Comment on this item

Your name (optional)
If you leave this blank, we'll list you as "Website visitor"


Your comments
Please keep your comments focused on the topic. Thanks!