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As a PM, I plan the meeting agenda carefully and try to guide people through meetings so we stay on track. But you have to allow for personal interaction because teams need to gel and that happens when they’re allowed to be humans. We can’t just be about the work to get the work done. People do the work and some folks need the interaction to eventually do the work.
However, I do jump in and remind people that “we have a lot to get through in a short amount of time” indicating a need to pivot the conversation. I’m also constantly watching the clock to see if it’s time to move to the next point on the agenda. You can say things like “does anyone have anything else to add to point #1 before we move into [insert next topic]
This is the right answer. Allow for banter but make sure there’s a detailed agenda and someone running the meeting who is keeping an eye on the clock and keeping people on task.
I’m the introvert who still pushes for a few minutes of asking my team how their weekend went, how they’re feeling at the end of the week, how their dog’s surgery went. There are important team members that I hired mid-pandemic that I never got to meet, this is my time to show them that I care about them as individuals and not just as ad-making machines like Record-a-Call 3000 over there.
How dare people who have been stuck at home for 18 months spend a few minutes of their miserable work day talking to other people about non-work related things. Off with their heads.
You are insufferable, account manager. As an account manager, you should know by now that creating an environment where people are comfortable being human is part of what leads to stronger work and better sell through. Get some empathy and perspective.
But listening to the verbal diarrhoea is part of relationship building. Know your audience before requesting / expecting something from them.
Also, some people live alone/ don’t have anyone to talk to at the moment since we’re all WFH so if it helps someone’s mental health to listen to them for 2.5 mins, I’m more than happy to listen.
Did you tell them beforehand it’s a same day delivery situation? I usually email the team an agenda with key points (client, deliverables, timings) beforehand so everyone knows why we’re meeting. Small chat is going to happen anyways, so allow for 5mins max and then say something like “ cool thanks everyone, as per the agenda I sent, we’re all here to talk about xyz that’s due by EOD.”
Hope this helps 😊
Did you do this for in-person meetings in the Before Time as well? Because it happened then, too. Lighten up, Francis.
Totally, but it’s easier for someone to command a room in person vs zoom. Eye contact and body language help people “feel” the room. I’m all for a few min of casual dialogue, and in the before times this would happen between individuals, multiple conversations, then the meeting starts. Now, it’s one or two people talking to each other while the room waits.
I’d hate working if all meetings are 100% business. PS, recording how long people talk is creepy. Were you the class tattletale? I bet you were.
Also, if Zoom calls could be legally considered a “phone call,” and OP is recording on the sly, OP’s actions may be against the law depending on what state everyone is in.
Kind of disturbing that you keep track of how long people speak to the half minute.
How do you work in accounts and not get the team building aspects of small talk
Small talk is so important. Curious how you’ve seen it work well on a zoom with 10+ people? In all seriousness, looking for tips here.
I hope you’re not on my team.
It’s entirely possible that they are chatty introverts who don’t have anyone to talk to outside of work too.
Not the case for what I’ve observed in my team meetings, it’s usually the same individuals, but it’s a good point.
You sound fun.
Thanks! ♥️
I’m sure people love you
Recording without consent…
Yup, I said this same thing upthread.
OP used to remind the teacher when they forgot to assign homework... 🤣🤣🤣
“How was your weekend?!” is the worst. Let’s just get to it.
There’s literal research showing that this type of banter helps create more productivity and happier employees at work. Look it up!
I’m the employee who doesn’t like that banter and it makes me less happy. My productively doesn’t really change.
Not gonna lie, I appreciate that someone did the work to get hard data on this. Thank you, OP!
It could also have to be b/c someone important to the meeting is running late and you’re killing time to give them time to join. I have to do it all the time and while I’d rather sit quietly and knock out an email instead, but I’ve got to play ‘host’.
If those 2.5 minutes are essential, then say so at the top of the meeting. “Hey guys, I know we want to catch up with each other but there’s a lot to go over in this meeting so would love to get started, and hopefully we can get through it quickly and I can give you back time at the end of the call” in a cheery, empathetic tone.
Don’t be a passive aggressive wanker, just move forward.