Meetings can be powerful moments of debate, of listening, of learning, and decision making. Meetings can be moments when we draw out different perspectives, viewpoints, ways of seeing the world. They can enrich our lives. They can also be a waste of time.

If you have already decided what you are going to do, please do not invite me to your meeting asking my opinion and then be upset when my opinion is different than yours.

Behaving in this way leaves a bad ‘taste’ in people’s mouths. It often also leads to confusion and frustration within the meeting. This all contributes to the culture of your team, of the organisation. Drip by drip by drip.

What type of culture do you want to create? It’s up to you.

Photo by Edvin Johansson