By: Elena
Photo Credit: Tumblr (handle in watermark above)
Full disclosure: I have only been in my job at the Folger for a month. Because it’s still so shiny and new, a lot of what I discuss through the end of 2015 will probably be around things I’ve noted during my day-to-day routine or rediscovered as interesting or important. I also speak from my own personal opinion, so by no means is what I say hard and fast fact. Also, memes give me life, so they will be in some, most, or all of my posts. That being said…
Let's talk meetings -- a topic that really did not come to my attention until I ran across the above comic during one of my regularly scheduled 10 minute mental down-time breaks at work. (Please take this moment as an excuse to read it again and laugh...like I do every time I look at it) After my chuckling at the shenanigans of one Albus Dumbledore subsided, I thought to myself, “Hmm...Hogwarts staff meetings look a lot like mine have in the past...but for real though, that’s a problem….” That’s when it hit me that this comic is a perfect visual, albeit satirical, representation of what could possibly go wrong in a meeting and who could be the responsible party (and no, I’m not just looking at Albus).
Every staff is made up of these characters and at some point or another, you WILL find yourself sitting around a table talking and working with them. Keep a weather eye out for:
Now, while the above descriptions are not exclusively arts related, I feel like these are often problems that plague arts non-profits. Everyone involved is so passionate (or should be) about what they are doing and how it supports the mission and the art that, sometimes, they lose sight of how their participation and interaction with others on the team can remain effective. And that’s OK. It happens...to all of us...myself included.
I went from being in a workplace that met once in two years to working at the Folger, which has some of the most productive, well-timed meetings I’ve been a part of to date (and I’m not just saying that because I am on the payroll). For too long of a time I was not an effective arts manager, purely because I did not take the time to speak with those working with me in a professional way. Now, I recognize that I am lucky enough to be in a place where the conversations I am a part of will allow me to be an effective and meaningful member of the staff.
As I readjust to “meeting culture”, I’m realizing that meetings are just a small part of a larger conversation regarding overall office culture. Having more or less meetings than your competitors does not always indicate an ineffective workplace. However, this is another post for another day....and is something I hope either Julia or myself will take some time to explore later on. For now, I leave you with these thoughts....I do not believe there is a hard and fast formula to make a successful meeting. I think that it is up to each arts manager to contribute successfully and effectively to convened conversations and make the workplace efficient in their own way. However, it is important to recognize when we do fall into patterns and trends, and when we are falling short of our responsibilities as a productive arts manager. This self-proclaimed Mad-Eye Moody is still working to understand where edits need to be made to make myself a stronger team member. So take stock, look at yourself with a critical eye, and for God’s sake…..don’t perform a Patronus Charm in the middle of your meeting ;).
Let's talk meetings -- a topic that really did not come to my attention until I ran across the above comic during one of my regularly scheduled 10 minute mental down-time breaks at work. (Please take this moment as an excuse to read it again and laugh...like I do every time I look at it) After my chuckling at the shenanigans of one Albus Dumbledore subsided, I thought to myself, “Hmm...Hogwarts staff meetings look a lot like mine have in the past...but for real though, that’s a problem….” That’s when it hit me that this comic is a perfect visual, albeit satirical, representation of what could possibly go wrong in a meeting and who could be the responsible party (and no, I’m not just looking at Albus).
Every staff is made up of these characters and at some point or another, you WILL find yourself sitting around a table talking and working with them. Keep a weather eye out for:
- The Professor McGonagall (aka The Meeting “Leader”): This is the person who requests or runs the meeting and then doesn’t take the time to think through an agenda and clearly outline the goals prior to their Outlook Calendar reminder going off. DO NOT BE THIS PERSON. Always enter into a meeting knowing what you want to discuss and what you want to walk away having accomplished, whether you are running the meeting or not. In the above comic, McGonagall clearly hasn’t thought any of her goals through, judging by her question in the first panel asking everyone what they want to discuss. Planning ahead in your own professional practice will keep meetings on track and provide others with a way to self-edit their own participation during well-planned discussions.
- The Albus Dumbledore (aka The Tangent-Taker): Silly Dumbledore! But for real, don’t be the person to derail a meeting by jumping around from topic to topic or bringing up completely irrelevant information. Stick to the purpose of the meeting and make sure your comments and presentations are germane. BE WARNED: The Tangent-Taker can be a "not-so-silent guardian" in disguise by presenting valid ideas and subjects at an irrelevant time. If you find a member of your team (or yourself) doing this, take the initiative to set up additional off-line conversations to flush out the more important points that are trying to be made. Taking this extra step will not only keep the Tangent-Taker quelled during future meetings, but will reflect as initiative and drive in your own professional performance (and will certainly be noticed by your superiors).
- The Gilderoy Lockhart (aka The Debbie Downer): I can only assume that in the second panel, the comment directed at the turban-ed Quirrell smelling like death (*cough foreshadowing cough*) is said by Lockhart sitting across the table...because let’s face it, Lockhart was the worst. Most meetings are opportunities for you to understand what else is going on in your department or organization and to present new, thoughtful ideas to the team. Don’t be quick to judge or react negatively in a meeting. The content that your co-workers present is a labor of love and, is more often than not, the product of a significant amount of blood, sweat, and tears. Be open and supportive and offer constructive, helpful criticism when you feel you are able and it is appropriate.
- The Professor Quirrell (aka The Kinda-Silent Guardian): If you are in a meeting and you have a valid point to discuss, don’t just drop a knowledge bomb and back off, especially if your co-workers are quick to glaze over the subject. If you feel that what you brought up is sensible, concise, and is discuss-able under the subject of the meeting, make sure that it is completely addressed before the meeting is adjourned. Don’t let the ill-prepared McGonagall brush over you with her hesitant “hm” and usher the meeting back into chaos. Be persistent (not too persistent though, nobody wants to work with the person who can’t let things go) and make sure that everyone understands why you need to be discussing your points further.
- The Mad-Eye Moody (aka The Invisible Participant): They’re the person on your team sitting two chairs over that you KNOW has been slaving over *that* worksheet for weeks and that you desperately want to speak up because OMG WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THIS EXACT THING YESTERDAY ON GCHAT….and yet never makes a peep. Unless you are a part of a meeting strictly for observational purposes, make sure you participate. If you can’t find your window, then that’s OK, but make a note for yourself after the meeting is over to find a way to better serve the initiatives and people involved in the future. I myself am on the introverted side in group settings, so this is something I struggle with in my own position. At the end of the day, be clear, be confident, and know that your contribution to the success of the meeting, team performance, and overall organizational outcome(s) is/are valuable.
Now, while the above descriptions are not exclusively arts related, I feel like these are often problems that plague arts non-profits. Everyone involved is so passionate (or should be) about what they are doing and how it supports the mission and the art that, sometimes, they lose sight of how their participation and interaction with others on the team can remain effective. And that’s OK. It happens...to all of us...myself included.
I went from being in a workplace that met once in two years to working at the Folger, which has some of the most productive, well-timed meetings I’ve been a part of to date (and I’m not just saying that because I am on the payroll). For too long of a time I was not an effective arts manager, purely because I did not take the time to speak with those working with me in a professional way. Now, I recognize that I am lucky enough to be in a place where the conversations I am a part of will allow me to be an effective and meaningful member of the staff.
As I readjust to “meeting culture”, I’m realizing that meetings are just a small part of a larger conversation regarding overall office culture. Having more or less meetings than your competitors does not always indicate an ineffective workplace. However, this is another post for another day....and is something I hope either Julia or myself will take some time to explore later on. For now, I leave you with these thoughts....I do not believe there is a hard and fast formula to make a successful meeting. I think that it is up to each arts manager to contribute successfully and effectively to convened conversations and make the workplace efficient in their own way. However, it is important to recognize when we do fall into patterns and trends, and when we are falling short of our responsibilities as a productive arts manager. This self-proclaimed Mad-Eye Moody is still working to understand where edits need to be made to make myself a stronger team member. So take stock, look at yourself with a critical eye, and for God’s sake…..don’t perform a Patronus Charm in the middle of your meeting ;).