Project Management Humor: Dilbert on the reality/horror of meetings

Direct link to post and image: http://headrush.typepad.com/creating_passionate_users/2006/09/be_provocative.html

In the case of the above image Kathy was talking about website users and being provocative to keep their attention online. But I find the image fascinating from the perspective of one who frequently runs and facilitates meetings - THAT'S where everyone's attention is when I'm updating status or discussing design changes! I've been in too many meetings with those Dilbert-esque qualities and I am sure I've been guilty of my own "wheel of distraction", but kathy's is a great visual for what probably IS on people's minds while you're trying to make critical project decisions. We all complain about meetings being useless, wastes of time, unproductive, boring - whatever, but we each are guilty of our own distractions. Think about that the next time you're rolling your eyes in a meeting or texting during someone's presentation. That is exactly how key points are missed, how information is misunderstood and how project delays occur. Now, just for fun, try creating your own wheel of distraction and see what tempts you to not be mentally present in meetings. I'm just curious to see how many just change the name in the 8% pie ;)

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