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How to regain control of your meeting schedule
As an executive coach, I have worked with many women in leadership roles in the tech industry, and one of the most common challenges I see them face is managing their time and being in control of how they spend it. With a never-ending stream of meetings, it can be difficult to find time to focus on important projects, let alone take care of personal or family obligations. In this article, I will share some tips and strategies for managing meeting schedules that can help leaders stay on top of their game.
Tip #1: Have Clear Meeting Objectives
The first step in managing your meeting schedule is to set clear objectives for each meeting you attend. Before accepting an invitation, take the time to evaluate whether the meeting is essential to your work and whether you can contribute meaningfully to the discussion. Where does it fit on your list of priorities? If the meeting doesn’t meet these criteria, it’s likely that your time would be better spent elsewhere.
Once you have decided to attend a meeting, take the time to set clear objectives for what you hope to accomplish. This could include preparing questions or proposals to bring up during the meeting, or identifying specific information or insights you hope to gain. By setting clear objectives, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and contributing meaningfully to the discussion.
Tip #2: Be Selective About Which Meetings You Attend
In addition to setting clear objectives, it’s important to be selective about which meetings you attend. While it can be tempting to say yes to every meeting invitation that comes your way, this approach is often counterproductive, as it can lead to an overloaded schedule and a lack of focus.
To avoid this, take the time to evaluate each meeting invitation on a case-by-case basis. Consider whether the meeting is essential to your work, whether you can contribute meaningfully to the discussion, and whether there are other ways you can get the information or insights you need. If the answer to any of these questions is no, it may be best to decline the invitation and focus your time and energy elsewhere.
It’s OK for you to say so and challenge the usefulness of your presence at this meeting. In a…
