My computer has a sleep mode. I have a meeting mode. Same thing.
Computers are designed to conserve energy when nothing important is happening. Apparently, so are employees.
The modern workplace has perfected the art of gathering twelve people in a conference room to discuss something that could have been settled by one person sending an email. There's an agenda, a presentation, a conference call, and at least one person whose only contribution is asking whether everyone can see the screen.
Meanwhile, half the room is checking email, somebody is pretending to take notes, and the guy in the corner has achieved a level of relaxation normally associated with general anesthesia.
Technology was supposed to make meetings shorter and more productive. Instead, we've developed sophisticated software that allows people to attend unnecessary meetings without even leaving their homes. Progress.
In The Purpose of the Meeting, artificial intelligence struggles to identify why everyone was invited in the first place. And Meetings vs Emails Explained explores the remarkable corporate ability to turn a simple email into an entire afternoon of discussion.
The irony is that computers eventually wake up when something important happens. Employees aren't always so lucky.
Maybe the next great workplace innovation isn't artificial intelligence or another productivity app.
It's a meeting that ends early.
Until then, Chad Geepeety™ recommends keeping your eyes open, your microphone muted, and your coffee within reach.
