Let’s Change Conference Calls for the Better

 
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Columnist hates conference calls and she wants you to know it.

I dislike conference calls. The telephone was originally created by Alexander Graham Bell and received the first patent in 1876 and ever since then the device has been used to punish humans in the workforce into being stuck on a numerous cycle of neverending conference calls. 

Why? 

On any given business day, you can bet that you can jump on any conference call line and hear the following….

  1. A co-worker being late to a call and others waiting on Ted’s arrival. 

  2. A phone cutting out. 

  3. A car alarm/horn/trash truck/siren/baby cries/dog barks/door slams/Amazon package arriving.

  4. Silence - there is a moment of complete silence that makes an entire teams skin crawl. 

  5. The words “circle back” and another conference call is set. The circle never ends.  

Don’t get me wrong, I’m as guilty as my next colleague for suggesting we should “hop on a call to discuss next steps” but the madness needs to stop somewhere. Let’s start here and now. 

Might I suggest that we collectively vow to do the following:

Implementing New Conference Call Etiquette 

  1. Set an agenda

  2. Only talk if it’s imparitve or there is a real takeaway

A mock list of your next conference call for your pleasure: 

  • An Introduction

  • Recap of previous meeting

  • Discussion Points

  • Action Items

  • One person talks at a time (quickly friend)

  • Closing Points

  • At least two jokes must be told that make everyone not take life so seriously.

Share your thoughts, feelings, and inner monologue with me on this subject below.

 
Workplace ReadsKatie DorseyComment