- Take notes on what the meeting would cover if it were worthwhile.
- Listen for the most productive item mentioned and then see if that can be turned into something meaningful.
- Listen for what is not being said.
- Ask yourself what Theodore Roosevelt, Margaret Thatcher or Abraham Lincoln would do and act accordingly.
- Decide on the minimal amount of time you have to be there before leaving.
- Excuse yourself to take a call and then don't return.
- Don't attend in the first place.
Decision Making: "Let's review our situation. The eight of us are unarmed and stuck in a dark Victorian mansion with an elusive maniac who seems intent on killing us all. The phone lines are dead. The electricity is out. A storm is raging outside, barring escape. There's only one logical response. Let's split up and wander through the house. Ed can check out the basement and Mary can search the ...."
Creativity: "I've been reviewing the list of dinosaurs that you believe we can bring back. Brontosaurus? Check. Triceratops? Check. Hold on a minute. I don't see any meat-eaters here."
Negotiations: "You five guys think I'm going to take a smaller share of the loot from the heist, do ya? Well, I'm no patsy. I know all your biggest secrets and how you killed and buried old man Sullivan. If you don't hand over everything you owe me right now, I'm going to the cops!"
Forecasting: "Nonsense, Mr. Cruthers. There haven't been wolves in this forest for years and certainly nothing that large."
Recruitment: "We have assembled a very strong team for this dangerous expedition. Caroline has a doctorate in biology and has operated a successful business for years. Jack has two decades of international relief work under his belt. And Lefty here, well, I didn't need to check on him because he's a hell of a poker player and once worked for our competitors."
Knowledge may give weight, but accomplishments give lustre, and many more people see than weigh.
- Lord Chesterfield
FutureLawyer looks at the new Lenovo tablet, which seems about the same size as the ones carried by Moses but, of course, I'm just judging from memory.
I was in a meeting the other day and an executive said, "I recall something you said in 1998."
You never know what will stay with people. Fortunately, this was something good.
W.C. Fields in "It's a Gift."
And while we're on the subject of things to make you smile, check out Chico Marx playing the piano in "A Night at the Opera."
Short, sweet, and brilliant.
Anderson Layman's Blog is a collection of treats. Today, tucked in with items on the meaning of life, you will find Dusty Springfield. You will smile.
