The lights are on, but no one is home. What I mean by that phrase is a person who is physically in a meeting, but that’s it. They sit in a chair and take up space, but they don’t contribute. They log in, but they don’t turn their camera on, write anything in the chat,

Um, excuse me. Is what you are doing more important than what is happening right now? Is there a reason you are on your phone instead of paying attention in meetings? No, you say? Then get off your phone (or your computer)! You’re wasting everyone else’s time. The amount of complaints I hear about Techies

Look at me! Look at me! How much attention do some people need? Well, Recognition Seekers focus discussions on themselves or seek out sympathy, and apparently they need a lot. There is a difference between the people who talk about themselves productively and are deserving of sympathy and the people who are attention mongers. Imagine

A quiet, ninja-like entrance followed by slinking into the open chair that is closest to the door all to avoid drawing attention to their tardiness. A signing on after the meeting has started with camera and microphone off. A grand entrance followed by a justification for the late arrival that really is just an excuse.

I raise my hand. I claim it. I confess. I’m guilty. Truth – we all have annoying behaviors that derail meetings. Maybe you are an Advocator, Attacker, Blocker, or a Dominator (or another type I’ll write about in the coming weeks). Me? I’m … weIl … um … I’m the Horseplayer who uses humor to

Ever had the experience of sitting in a meeting and someone won’t let you talk? If you haven’t, you just might the person not letting others talk! There are all sorts of annoying meeting behaviors that derail meetings (Advocator, Attacker, Blocker), but this week we address the Dominator behavior. Dominators try to control meetings and

Do you find it annoying when people say these things in meetings? “That won’t work.” “We’ve tried that before.” “We can’t do that.” “Can we circle back and reconsider X.” “I’m still not sure we made the right decision.” People like this are Blockers and their behavior sabotages meetings. Blockers frequently raise objections and circle

Who comes to mind when you read these words? Aggressive Mean Bully Humiliator I think of a boss I worked for who was extremely forward with his thoughts and ideas. If he didn’t like your idea, comment, or question, he told you so without any social grace or emotionally intelligence whatsoever. It stung. It was

Years ago in a meeting,  one of my coworkers snickered and rolled his eyes at something I said.  I shut down. Why did he do it? He did it because he was allowed to. No one told him to stop being a bully. No one told him was being unprofessional or that his behavior was

I fix broken things: bad communication, disengaged employees, unproductive teams, and leaders that no one trusts. Is my effort futile? Does psychological safety really exist? Yes. Yes, it does. Let’s celebrate one such workplace. My previous coworker (and friend) Becky was assigned a massive project.  The type of project that determined if the organization she