TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Janet suggested saying:>> Can you give me a buzz when you when you get
to <my area of concern>? I'll be in my cube....<<
Janet, you make a good point, but both our tactics run the risk of
sounding rude, hence my "stealth and cunning" comment.
The fact is, there isn't a fail-safe way of dealing with these
situations. I think that any tactic that allows you to walk out without
being thrown out is a valid one. Any tactic that helps the meeting
leader re-gain control of the discussion, benefits all the attendees.
-Darren
-----Original Message-----
From:
techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot-
com] On Behalf Of Janet Swisher
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:36 PM
To: Downing, David; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: Meetings -- ARRGGHHH!!!
On Thu, Feb 12, 2009 at 12:38 PM, Butler, Darren J CTR USAF AFMC 584
CBSS/GBHAC <Darren -dot- Butler -dot- ctr -at- robins -dot- af -dot- mil> wrote:
> David Downing groaned:
>>> several people got hung up on one specific point , which didn't even
> concern me.<<
>
> You could try this play:
> Chime-in to the conversation by telling the meeting chair that you
agree
> that the point-in-question is so important, that another meeting is
> needed to discuss it - and then tactfully nominate the person who has
> dominated the "discussion" as the chair of that meeting. Then sit back
> and watch for either nods of approval or a mass retreat from that
> *oh-so-vital* sub-topic.
I would say that's up to the meeting leader to initiate. If you're an
"invited guest", you don't get to run the meeting, no matter how badly
the meeting is being run. Also, the meeting doesn't have to end just
because *you're* no longer interested in the discussion.
However, you can ask the meeting leader (or the person who invited
you) "Is there anything else on the agenda I need to be here for?" If
the answer is no, you're home free. If the answer is yes, say "Can you
give me a buzz when you get to that? I'll be in my cube." Either
they'll do that, or they'll be prompted to postpone the other
discussion. If the "15 minute" meeting has already run to 45 minutes,
a perfectly reasonable excuse for leaving is "I have other work that
needs my attention".
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and
publishing
solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or
HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. http://www.doctohelp.com
Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for individual
authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface. Write
once, publish to 8 formats. Multi-user authoring and version control! http://www.helpandmanual.com/
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as
Darren -dot- Butler -dot- ctr -at- robins -dot- af -dot- mil -dot-
ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing
solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or
HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. http://www.doctohelp.com
Help & Manual 5: The complete help authoring tool for individual
authors and teams. Professional power, intuitive interface. Write
once, publish to 8 formats. Multi-user authoring and version control! http://www.helpandmanual.com/
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
