Are senior management meetings useful,or have you thought I haven't a clue what these people are talking about

Question

I sat there mentally working out how much money was being used in wages for the two hours we were together.Or am I a cynic??

Answer 1

Public sector organisations in particular love meetings. It's democracy in action. It's provides a means whereby managers can avoid making decisions, ie managing. Proposed solutions become decisions of the meeting, committee, whatever. Managers can't be challenged, because you see, you, as a non manager were there and you took part in the discussion, ergo, you were part of the decision.

I spent quite a long time tolerating this bl--dy nonsense, all at taxpayer expense. I haven't even mentioned sub committees, working groups, task forces etc. When will they understand in the Public Sector that democracy ends at their door. They are expected to manage, be accountable, and take responsibility, instead of hiding behind committees?

I know that to a lesser degree, because they can't afford such nonsense, it occurs in the private sector, where posturing bull--itters try and impress the boss.

Answer 2

What's the matter with you?  Where is your 'blue sky thinking'?  Why aren't you 'thinking outside the box' and ''pushing the envelope' and trying to find 'a level playing field'? Why are you 'kicking the nest'? We far too readily 'exist in silo's' and 'throw the baby out with the bathwater'.  Dear God, I know exactly what you mean - the effort that I used to put in to try to look interested when I was beyond bored was unbelievable!

Answer 3

The manager's and paid staff meetings I attend are useful as feedback exercises and a way of getting across information to those who it is meant for. Perhaps as a manager, you could input your own ideas and theories to be a bigger part of proceedings. I have just been reading a brilliant book and doing the activities as part of my NVQ, called 'A managers guide to self development' by Pedlar, Burgoyne and Boydell. Its really good and is very thought provoking. It may give you some ideas which would be practical for your role and good for your organisation and it would also give you a clearer idea of what these people are talking about.  I expect your local library would have a copy of it, if you didn't want to buy it. Don't worry about the wages. That is for your employer to worry about.

Answer 4

They can be good if they are ran effectively and have a scheduled end.