Let's Have a Meeting

Isn't that always the solution? Hey, we're not communicating so, ah, gee, let's have a meeting. I'm here to tell you that rarely, if ever, is a communication problem so easily addressed. Making the assumption that a meeting will fix a communication problem is like assuming that training your staff in ITIL is sufficient to ensure implementation.

The first step in any effort to solve a problem is to first, identify the problem and then follow a process to identify root cause. Then, and only then can you even begin to think about solutions. I submit that having a meeting to solve a communication problem not only is probably NOT the solution, but it may do more damage than good. It takes away from other, possibly more productive, activities and it may, depending upon the underlying issue, drive the problem deeper.

Communications is hard work. Making communications work is hard work. Understanding the problems we have with communications takes more than jumping to conclusions. There's no short cut. But there is a clear path than can be followed by those who really desire a solution. If not, then give lip service to caring about communications and stand by your claim that "the meeting was suppose to fix it."