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Enthusiast
Being passive aggressive will certainly hurt how you’re viewed. I’d point out preparing for meetings is important and call it out but unprofessional about it won’t give them an understanding. They’ll just see you as an asshole.
Rising Star
Sorry to state the obvious but how are you the Director of Investor Relations dealing with clients, yet you can't deal with internals? Something is not computing for me here...
Is this because you have perhaps inflated your title on FB? 🤔
Well, one can be perfectly able to deal with investors yet sometimes get frustrated with colleagues. That can happen at any level on an organization, straight up to C suite. I’m asking for tips on how to productively deal with my frustration so I can better myself and get better results. Also, as director of IR I’m the one taking shots from investors - whereas the unprepared colls. never have to deal with any of it (they don’t have to deal with it because I’m pretty good at my job, or as you say, dealing with clients)
1. Practice Empathy
2. watch https://youtu.be/FWIlZosXxCM
3. read https://www.amazon.com/Surprising-Science-Meetings-Lead-Performance/dp/0190689218/ref=asc_df_0190689218_nodl/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=266244150619&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7014304478318901434&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9013464&hvtargid=pla-594183558653&psc=1
Thank you!!
I’d also recommend practicing mindfulness (could use Happify, Calm, Headspace). It’s about recognizing the emotions you feel as they come up. I have ADHD and it’s part of my CBT. For me I get irritated and impatient VERY easily and I tend to snap at others even when it’s kind of no big deal (and I know it’s no big deal afterwards and so I’m very up front that when I seem mad I’m probably going to get over it in 10 minutes and literally think nothing of it, including my own reaction). One thing that really helped over the past couple of years was internally noticing when I was getting irritated (getting kind of antsy, wanting to snap back, etc.), acknowledging that I was feeling this way (internally), and then trying to skip to the end: is it worth it to snap right now? Will I get over this?
Your situation is a bit different — clearly it’s a recurring issue and it’s not something I would get over either. However, practicing mindfulness can help you get past the “I want to yell at them” feeling and get to the “I want to solve this productively” feeling.
To me, I’d probably just ask my colleagues repeatedly, how can I help you? Should we set up a prep-call before the larger call so they have time set aside to review materials? Should I send out action items for things that need to be completed before the call? And just directly ask them what’s the best way to keep them accountable.
Are you the meeting owner? If this is a recurring problem with same individual(s) and you own the meeting, here’s what I would do:
1. Make sure your side of the street is clean. Send out an agenda ahead of time, and if there is prep, send out a reminder email.
2. Once your meeting starts, if you get to that topic and people haven’t prepared, say the following: “I understand everyone is really busy, but it doesn’t make sense to waste time if not everyone has had a chance to review this info. Let’s pause here for today, and I’ll schedule time tomorrow to pick this conversation back up once everyone has a chance to do the prep work.”
Guarantee, they will not be unprepared more than one time.
Enthusiast
Ummm, maybe they had things come up before the meeting that were more important?
Tax Manager 1 is struggling this season. Cool it, OP said he/she gets frustrated with a team constantly being unprepared and lackluster during meetings. Everybody would if it were a recurring issue (which it sounds like it is), especially when fundraising efforts (also stressful) depend on the team all rowing in the same direction.
Being frustrated with somebody not pulling their weight isn't just reserved for "petulant toddlers". Telling somebody to "get a life" because coworkers frustrate them probably warrants some self reflection on your part.