Oh For Food's Sake

Dealing with Difficult People in Meetings

Episode Summary

In this episode of Oh For Food's Sake we tackle the challenging topic of managing difficult personalities in meetings, affectionately dubbed as "meeting saboteurs." This episode is packed with practical advice for food industry professionals who frequently encounter disruptive behaviours in their meetings. From "the Dominator" to "the Wet Blanket," we break down each troublesome personality type, providing actionable strategies to manage and mitigate their impact. Whether you’re dealing with multitaskers or know-it-all’s, this episode aims to equip you with the tools to handle these situations effectively, ensuring your meetings are productive and engaging.

Episode Notes

In this enlightening episode, we delve into common problematic personalities that can derail meetings, coining them as meeting saboteurs.

We start by defining several classic saboteur archetypes, such as "the Dominator," "the Multitasker," "the Rambler," and more. Each type is dissected with care, exploring their typical behaviours and motivations.

Our discussion includes practical tips for managing these individuals — from setting ground rules and using visual aids to having pre-meeting conversations and employing techniques like the "Elmo" (Everybody Let's Move On) method. We emphasise the importance of preparation and setting clear agendas to keep meetings on track.

We also engage in self-reflection, humorously identifying with some of our own saboteur traits. We share personal anecdotes and effective strategies we’ve used in our own careers, making the advice relatable and actionable.

The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners to reflect on their own experiences with meeting saboteurs and share which strategies have worked for them.

Timestamps

- [00:00] Introduction: Definition of meeting saboteurs

- [00:30] Amy and Lucy's backgrounds and the episode's purpose

- [01:37] Overview of different meeting saboteur personalities

- [02:37] The Dominator: Characteristics and management strategies

- [05:04] The Multitasker: Keeping them engaged and productive

- [09:31] The Rambler: Techniques to keep discussions on track

- [12:01] The Know-It-All: Balancing their input without overshadowing others

- [14:34] The Wet Blanket: Managing negativity and encouraging positivity

- [17:23] The Vacuum: Strategies to handle monopolisers

- [18:17] The importance of preparation and setting agendas

- [19:08] Final reflections and listener call to action