Killing Three Birds with One Stone

You’ve heard the old phrase “killing two birds with one stone,” and while most people couldn’t (or wouldn’t try) to actually kill one bird with a stone, let alone two (presumably they use a slingshot), I’m going to suggest a way to possibly get three at once.

The stone is cancelling meetings.

What if we cancelled/banned/banished all meetings for one day?

Before you dismiss this as impossible, know that many companies have tried it and others are planning it. (One of our clients, to be left unnamed, is planning to do it soon). If that happened in your organization what would be the benefits?

Bird #1 – Improved Mental Health 

Many organizations are considering the No Meetings Day as way to give people a mental health break.  It isn’t as drastic as an extra day off for everyone, or as LinkedIn did earlier this year, give all employees a week off, but it could make a difference.  Even if you were working, would a day with no meetings be a welcome change of pace?  No Zoom fatigue, no missing lunch for another meeting, and the chance to go to the bathroom whenever you needed to instead of when the calendar allowed, might make a bigger difference than you realize.

Bird #2 – Higher Productivity

While meetings get a bad rap (often justifiably, I realize), work can get done in them, but what if you had a full day with no meetings… How much might you accomplish?  How many backed-up action items from past meetings might you finish?  How much progress might you make on some important work, the stuff that always gets buried by the urgent (and the meetings)?  Now multiply that by every employee in the organization.  While your mileage may vary, I’m betting an extraordinary amount of work will be accomplished.

Bird #3 – Increased Morale

If you suspended judgement long enough to consider a day with no meetings, you likely have a smile on your face. Now imagine it as a reality for everyone in the organization.  The morale will improve because of the change of pace, the chance to get some needed work done, the reduction in stress, and perhaps that most of the team will see that leadership is thinking about everyone’s welfare, not just plowing forward with the work.

A day with no meetings. The beautiful thing about this idea is that while helping the team’s morale and mental health, it will likely get more productive work done as well.  Three birds, minimum.

Are you ready to take a shot?

Enjoy the rest of your week – and the links to the resources below that focus on meetings.  On the days you do have them, we might as well make them better.  One or more may be just what you need to help you create Remarkable Results.

You are Remarkable!

Kevin ??

p.s.  Each week we produce the Remote Work Newsletter, for free.  If you want practical ideas for remote and hybrid work, you can subscribe (for free!) here.

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