Meeting Attendants: Understanding the 8 Different Types

Meetings are a crucial part of any organization’s workflow. They help build camaraderie and bring new ideas to the table. But not all meetings are created equal. Some are productive, while others are a waste of time. This is partly because of the individuals who make up the meeting attendees.

Jonathan Grubb, a blogger, describes 8 different types of meeting attendees that we have probably all come across at some point in our professional lives. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

1. The Talker

The Talker is self-explanatory. This person never seems to stop talking, even when it’s not necessary. They always have something to say, even if it’s not relevant to the meeting’s agenda. They can quickly derail the discussion, and if not addressed, it could lead to an unproductive meeting.

2. The Boss

The Boss is usually the person who called the meeting, and they make sure everyone knows it. They interrupt others, disregard their opinions, and generally behave as though they’re the only person in the room. It’s difficult to get anything done in meetings like these.

3. The Sigher

As the name suggests, The Sigher is the person who shows up to the meeting, but doesn’t want to be there. They’re impatient, uninterested, and visibly annoyed at having to attend. They’ll sigh loudly, roll their eyes, and generally make it clear that they have better things to do.

4. The Lurker

The Lurker is the person who attends the meeting but doesn’t actively participate. They’ll sit in the back, observe everything, but never contribute. This person is usually in attendance to please their boss and meet attendance requirements but never adds any value to the meeting.

5. The Stealth Lurker

The Stealth Lurker is similar to The Lurker, but they add another layer of frustration. They’ll sit in the back of the room and actively work on their laptop or phone, acting as though they’re doing work that is urgent. However, their attention is not on the meeting, and they’ll miss crucial details.

6. The Meanderer

The Meanderer is the person who strays from the agenda and goes off on tangents. Their ideas may be helpful, but they never bring it back to the main topic, and meetings can become less productive. They often derail the discussion and make it difficult to reach a conclusion.

7. The Killer

The Killer is the negative person who shoots down every idea. They will dispute any suggestions, regardless of how well they’re thought out. Their comments are usually counterproductive and hurtful to the meeting’s progress.

8. The Productive, Reasonable Contributor

Lastly, we have the person we all want in our meetings – The Productive, Reasonable Contributor. This person comes to the meeting prepared, ready to share thoughtful ideas and help everyone build on them. They listen carefully, communicate clearly and have everyone on the same page. They are the ones who get things done and make meetings productive.

In addition to these types of meeting attendees, there are others that the readers have contributed. The Asleep, who has no interest in the meeting and dozes off at the slightest opportunity. The “I don’t understand” person, who refuses to try and comprehend anything, no matter how well explained it is.

Meeting organizers should be aware of these different types of attendees, and they need to take steps to ensure that meetings remain productive.

Here are some practical tips:

1. Set an agenda and stick to it.

Make sure everyone knows what to expect from the meeting ahead of time. Share the agenda with attendees in advance and stick to it during the meeting. This will help keep everyone focused and on track.

2. Encourage participation.

Engage attendees by asking them for their input, comments, and suggestions. Make sure everyone feels comfortable to contribute and take part in the discussion.

3. Address negative behavior.

If any of the negative attendee types appear, don’t ignore it. Instead, find a way to handle it. Speak to them privately or address the behavior during the meeting in a constructive manner.

4. Schedule shorter meetings.

Try to keep meetings short and to the point. Attendees will appreciate this and will be more likely to stay engaged.

In conclusion, meetings are vital to any organization’s success, but it is essential to have the right mix of attendees. Understanding the different types of meeting attendees will help meeting organizers ensure more productive meetings. By setting an agenda, encouraging participation, addressing negative behavior, and scheduling shorter meetings, organizers will guarantee more productive and valuable meetings that everyone will be proud of attending.