Peg Herring's Blog - Posts Tagged "audience"
Meetings, Hatred of
I was a teacher for thirty years. For anyone in the system, that should explain it all. Others have similar experiences: long-winded speakers, reiteration of information everyone already knows (or should), lame "spirit" events designed to make everyone into a team, diatribes on wrongs, imagined or otherwise, that cannot be mended by ranting and only serve to break down that team spirit we've supposedly generated. Of course there are always two people in attendance who drive the rest of the group nuts. One wants to brag, confess, or otherwise perform for his/her peers. The other, just when you think the meeting is winding down and you might get a few things done before the day ends, asks, "Could you clarify for me one more time the procedure for XYZing? I don't think I get it."
Now you know why, in retirement, I refused to join any organizations, or at least, very few. I've done my share of time at meetings, and I'm reluctant to add to it.
Yesterday, however, I was reminded that meetings can be done well. I was asked to come and speak to a group a couple of hours away from my home. I was a little anxious when they told me I was slated after their business meeting. "Oh, goody."
However, the chairwoman ticked through the necessary items in brisk fashion. Each speaker said what he or she had to say and then left the podium. Applause consisted of one hand clap to signal approval. And the productive part of the business was interspersed with entertaining, though brief, snippets that kept attention focused.
All in all, things moved, so that I was up to speak before I would have believed possible. Now that is how a meeting should go.
Now you know why, in retirement, I refused to join any organizations, or at least, very few. I've done my share of time at meetings, and I'm reluctant to add to it.
Yesterday, however, I was reminded that meetings can be done well. I was asked to come and speak to a group a couple of hours away from my home. I was a little anxious when they told me I was slated after their business meeting. "Oh, goody."
However, the chairwoman ticked through the necessary items in brisk fashion. Each speaker said what he or she had to say and then left the podium. Applause consisted of one hand clap to signal approval. And the productive part of the business was interspersed with entertaining, though brief, snippets that kept attention focused.
All in all, things moved, so that I was up to speak before I would have believed possible. Now that is how a meeting should go.
