Ban Crackberries from Meetings?

Todd Wilkens advocates banning crackberries from all meetings. I agree with Todd that people distracted by emails and phone calls aren’t focused and become impediments to an effective meeting. But, in my experience, too many organizations have terribly ineffective meetings. If your organization’s meetings are terrible, will a ban on crackberries make them effective?

No.

A pattern of consistently terrible meetings is the result of a sick organizational process. Banning distracting devices will, at best, lead to a less terrible meeting. At worst, it will lead to angry people who believe they are being treated like children. Banning crackberries and laptops does not guarantee more focused participants; for instance, eavesdrop on the thoughts of Bryan:

Who they hell do they think they are banning my wireless devices? I’m at this meeting to listen and occasionally answer a few questions. Most of the time the stuff they are saying has nothing to do with me. Why shouldn’t I be able to process my email so my time is used efficiently? Dumb asses! I’ve got things to do. I’ll write emails on my notepad and transcribe them to Outlook as soon as I’m released from this prison. Everyone will think I’m taking notes about the meeting. :-)

A pattern of consistently effective meetings is the result of a healthy organizational process. Leaders in these organizations design their meetings. They define its purpose, objectives, participants, and agenda. They use the meeting’s type as a pattern for focusing and organizing the meeting. They invite only the people who are needed and who will receive an ROI from participating. They treat the participants like adults. They have a process for each agenda item that helps the group produce the desired outcome. They share information about the meeting in advance so that participants are prepared before the meeting starts.They start the meeting on time. They manage the meeting so it finishes early or on time. They use feedback to constantly improve their meetings.

A ban on crackberries is neither needed nor desired in organizations with highly effective meetings. Participants are engaged in a highly interactive meeting. Participation has value to the participant as an individual, as a member of a team, and as a member of the organization. Participants neither have the time nor desire to use their wireless devices. If they must take an interrupt, which they don’t make a habit, they alert the group to that need and process interrupts outside the meeting room.

I’m sure it’s difficult for people who haven’t had a positive experience with meetings to believe a consistently effective meeting is possible. It’s not only possible — it’s a reality in organizations who believe that meetings are the lifeblood of their business. It’s also a reality under the wing of a strong leader who decides that meetings in their part of the organization will be conducted differently.

If you aren’t fortunate enough to be a part of an organization with consistently effective meetings, engage in guerrilla actions to help create highly effective meetings. Start by buying a copy of How to Make Meetings Work by Michael Doyle and David Strauss and put what you read to use.

If your organization wants to heal a sick process that is producing terrible meetings, contact me. I will help.