Cut the meeting nightmare! Is that meeting really necessary?

Let's face it: "Let's schedule a meeting" might as well be the official catchphrase of corporate limbo. But what if we told you there’s a way out? In an oldy but goldie article, Elizabeth Grace Saunders from HBR proposes a killer decision tree that asks: Do you really need that meeting, or are you just afraid of your own inbox?

Here's the skinny:

1 - Think First: Solo brainstorm before you rally the troops. 2 - Seek Input Smartly: If it's just FYIs, an email blast will do. 3 - Real-Time Required?: Swap those stuffy boardrooms for a quick call or chat. 4 - Face-to-Face or Bust?: Only if it’s absolutely crucial, otherwise keep it digital.

Before you hit "schedule," take a breath and navigate this tree. Your calendar (and your colleagues) will thank you for it!

Source: Harvard Business Review