[Salty Dog]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Have worked with people who loved to have meetings. Mostly a huge waste of time.

One in particular would talk almost the entire time telling stories we have heard enough that we could tell the story. Basically he was in love with the sound of his voice.

Describes many a meeting I've attended: The Abilene paradox is a collective fallacy, in which a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that is counter to the preferences of most or all individuals in the group, while each individual believes it to be aligned with the preferences of most of the others.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by Salty Dog

Describes many a meeting I've attended: The Abilene paradox is a collective fallacy, in which a group of people collectively decide on a course of action that is counter to the preferences of most or all individuals in the group, while each individual believes it to be aligned with the preferences of most of the others.

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.

I remember attending a meeting where a Government contractor with muddy boots and a hard hat showed up to discuss a $2,000 claim with the contracting officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, on a small construction contract. Before the meeting started, 15 Government employees showed up, including 3 lawyers wearing suits. I whispered to the contracting officer that he needed to tell everyone to leave so we could resolve the claim. He did.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I remember attending a meeting where a Government contractor with muddy boots and a hard hat showed up to discuss a $2,000 claim with the contracting officer, a Lieutenant Colonel, on a small construction contract. Before the meeting started, 15 Government employees showed up, including 3 lawyers wearing suits. I whispered to the contracting officer that he needed to tell everyone to leave so we could resolve the claim. He did.

Good for you

[cjrjck]

It's a different work ethic today. Not saying it is better or worse, just different. Last decade, we had trouble getting people to work overtime even though it was a condition of employment. Additionally, flex time and flex place became the norm. Any attempt to change this was met with stiff resistance.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by cjrjck

It's a different work ethic today. Not saying it is better or worse, just different. Last decade, we had trouble getting people to work overtime even though it was a condition of employment. Additionally, flex time and flex place became the norm. Any attempt to change this was met with stiff resistance.

Do not understand that attitude. Many people live paycheck to paycheck and extra money could be the difference between having a place to live and living in a car.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Years ago, the manager of a division that I worked in actually hired a consulting to teach us how to hold a meeting.

Always have an agenda and never do improptu meetings.

He hated the idea that me the purchasing manager would walk over to the production manager and in 30 seconds decide on a plan and execute it.

Love it!

That is the definition of efficient meeting, knows their job, can make decisions, and has the company goals in mind instead of their own goals. .

I was asked to do a performance review on a non direct report.
I performed the evaluation, and then to "normalize" a baseline for my evaluation, the survey asked me to rank certain items important to me. .

I ranked "execution" and team work as my number one and two criteria for success. .

too many people think that team work means meetings and that the whole team has be involved, but that is not always the case, as each person just has to perform their team assigned job properly, and the larger the meeting is to get agreement for a solution, the harder it is to get agreement and execute without strong leadership.

[dtennent]

I have a bias since I worked in Research and Development my entire career. Obviously, it is hard to do sophisticated lab work or run a pilot line from home. Aside from that, there were a number of times when I overheard conversations either in the hallway or in the cafeteria that involved people outside of my team or direct reports. These inputs lead to inspirations on how to solve problems that my team was facing. I don't know how you can properly assign value to the overheard comment or the chance meeting of someone that leads to further the innovative process. Giving an employee the opportunity to work from home to take care of a sick child is an important exception. However, given that I have lead projects that took research ideas and converted them into products, I can't imagine how that could be done from home in Research and Development.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by dtennent

I have a bias since I worked in Research and Development my entire career. Obviously, it is hard to do sophisticated lab work or run a pilot line from home. Aside from that, there were a number of times when I overheard conversations either in the hallway or in the cafeteria that involved people outside of my team or direct reports. These inputs lead to inspirations on how to solve problems that my team was facing. I don't know how you can properly assign value to the overheard comment or the chance meeting of someone that leads to further the innovative process. Giving an employee the opportunity to work from home to take care of a sick child is an important exception. However, given that I have lead projects that took research ideas and converted them into products, I can't imagine how that could be done from home in Research and Development.

Agree, there are always unique circumstances for every job or industry, etc.

My list in my post was not exhaustive, but had many variables to show that it's never black and white or a simple as people want to make it. .

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Remember, if you can work from home, that home can be in India as well, be careful what you wish for...

Good answer.

Kind of like asking for higher wages at a grocery store to checkout customers. There are alternatives that even your smile and good performance may not keep you employed.

Remember, that not all jobs can be done at home. Perhaps management should reserve that right. Sometimes facetime with employees and management serves valuable benefits.

I can recall situations in my career where I helped develop critical Multi Million dollar proposals for aircraft engines and support (A couple were in 100's of millions). Potential customers were constantly visiting facilities requiring tours) you needed to be there.

Also gave me exposure to higher management which can lead to promotion.

If the opportunity avails itself to you, good luck and fortune.