This doesn’t seem efficient

Anonymous

July 6,2023 at 3:34PM UTC

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This doesn’t seem efficient

Upper management at my organization has recently made a decision regarding lower level management attending standing management meetings.

Upper management meets twice a week for 90 minutes each meeting. Lower management recently started attending because they felt decisions regarding programs were being made without input or even knowledge from lower management.

Now upper management has decided that lower management doesn’t need to attend all meetings. They announced that lower management will be notified by 12pm on Mondays if they need to attend the upper management meeting on Tuesday mornings.

This doesn’t seem terribly effective. It means we have to wait until the day before to know if that time is spoken for or if we are free to use it for other purposes. As a director I have meetings that pop up all the time. This limits my ability to efficiently use all of my time in a week because I have to wait to hear from our HR director first about the meeting.

After attending these meetings, I don’t feel I need to continue attending. Upper management uses the time as their group therapy to vent about the agency and staff. I don’t need to sit in on that. Nor do I have anything to contribute in that regard.

I would like to opt out but I doubt that will be approved. I’m not sure how else to address this.

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AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 4:16PM UTC
Just play the game.
Pretend to listen and actively "participate" in the meeting. Who knows.... you might gain some added insight on the venting of others
If they ask why xxxx wasn't completed on time, tell them you were in the meeting and then address that the meetings are counter-productive
AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 6:08PM UTC
Don't make a fuss. If they invite lower management, there will be a reason, so it won't likely be a gripe session or a waste of time.
If they don't want your input, that's really bad, but also really common. Massaging your relationship with your boss is the best way to ensure your point of view has been heard at least by that one person.
AnonymousJuly 6,2023 at 6:14PM UTC
I would be careful in clawing back time. There are reasons for upper management making this call. So show up when asked, schedule around the demands.
You are a director. Make yourself available. Even Board Members feel put out from time to time. Opinions on efficiencies are just that. In this case you accommodate the request or non-request.
Barb HansenJuly 6,2023 at 6:22PM UTC
I would follow corporate culture at my company to determine if I could not attend a senior-level meeting when I'm requested to attend, but if corporate culture (everyone goes to senior meetings or it's more freewheeling about attendance) doesn't help me decided...
I would, generally, attend all senior-level meetings that I'm asked to attend, but I hear you that not knowing if the meeting is required until the day before can seem less than fair so here is I would do:
-- I would block off the Senior level meeting on Tuesday mornings on my calendar.
-- If I'm not needed at the meeting, then that Tuesday mornings meeting time frees me up to do work without interruptions.
-- If another important issue appears on my calendar that conflicts with the Senior meeting, I would attend the 2nd meeting and send my regrets with explanation to the meeting planner (and my Senior).
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 5:35PM UTC
Ask HR if they can record the meetings for later viewing or if someone can take minutes of the meeting that can be shared afterward. As an alternative book the time each week on your calendar as a no not book in that time slot and if the meeting does not happen then use that time for solitary follow up work for yourself each time. It's not ideal but clearly the culture of your company is trying to shift for inclusion but it's hit a speed bump and needs to sort itself out.
Coach Nancie Kay ShumanJuly 8,2023 at 7:33PM UTC
Do you want suggestions, advice or commiseration? I can give you all of the aforementioned:
Commiseration: meetings which have little to know relevance to you or your department are boring, time wasters and overall frustrating, given that most of the information can be disseminated via email after the meeting. This is especially true if all the meeting entails is whinging from those higher up the ladder. You have work to do, Don't they know this?
Suggestions: When invited, ask for a copy of the agenda before you go to the meeting. so that you can at least follow along, if there isn't a topic which is relevant to you and your department. But, also be prepared to talk about what is relevant, even if it feels as though the higher ups aren't listening.
Also, block out the time on your calendar, and if you aren't invited, simply be prepared to use the time to address something which has been sitting for a while, but has no urgency. It's a great opportunity to clean out your in box.
Advice: check in with your career path. In that frame, what would be the possible benefits of attending these meetings? The drawbacks? Are there opportunities to make connections and elevate both your voice and the concerns of your department? Might gaining an insight into the ways the Upper Managements minds work, assist you in not only helping your department and the company grow, but also your career?
That is my 2¢ worth. Hope it helps.
ElizabethJuly 14,2023 at 2:49PM UTC
That sounds tough. On one end it sounds like a good way to bond with your management. I wish people were more stoic but that's just me. Most people need to vent. Having a front row seat to that means that you can get your problems heard by upper management when the right moment presents itself. I don't know if there's anything that can be done in terms of not having that meeting. Sorry about that.