How to Attend Meetings • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#181

Post by ianmcgowan » Wed, Dec 03, 2025, 3:27 PM UTC

parliament32 wrote: post #34

garciasn wrote: post #7

I agree with each and every single slide in this presentation; I do. I also know that in each and every company I have ever worked for, none of this is going to fly. Especially, "Attending meetings is a choice." Just like paying taxes is a choice; got it. --- For decades, I have been asking for agendas; I have asked for clarification on what to do to prepare; I have even suggested that we have solid outcomes. None of…

> I also know that in each and every company I have ever worked for, none of this is going to fly. My favourite part of climbing the corporate ladder is finally having enough clout to just say "no". > I have been asking for agendas; I have asked for clarification on what to do to prepare; I have even suggested Try "I am unable to attend meeting without an agenda. Let me know when one has been posted." in your decline…

Try "No agenda, no attenda" - see if a touch of levity helps.

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#182

Post by maxclark » Thu, Dec 04, 2025, 3:12 PM UTC

jjk166 wrote: post #122

These slides miss most of the point of meetings. You don't just go to talk, you go to listen. Generally if you have enough information that you know what you will share and can expect to receive at a meeting, it should be an email. People can share things on their timetable in the style they are most comfortable with and the information can be reviewed without anyone needing to worry about meeting minutes. Even when…

Did anyone make a copy they can share?

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#183

Post by peterbrianson » Fri, Dec 05, 2025, 7:08 PM UTC

PaulCarrack wrote: post #151

Link is dead. Did anyone make a copy that can reupload?

Hello, I'm the Brian that made these slides. Here's a copy: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M-d9rRsFnC8zUkeFrkVC...

One clarification: these are not official internal NYT meeting guidelines; rather, they are learnings from throughout my career that I documented and presented within my teams and departments when I worked at NYT. They developed a life of their own and were shared around the company over the years, but this is the first time I've seen them "escape" and get shared outside. Enjoy!

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#184

Post by peterbrianson » Fri, Dec 05, 2025, 7:09 PM UTC

emddudley wrote: post #174

Looks like it has been deleted. Does anyone have a copy?

Hello, I'm the Brian that made these slides. Here's a copy: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M-d9rRsFnC8zUkeFrkVC...

Enjoy!

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#185

Post by peterbrianson » Fri, Dec 05, 2025, 7:10 PM UTC

helsontaveras18 wrote: post #143

Did anyone make a copy? File is deleted.

Hello, I'm the Brian that made these slides. Here's a copy: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M-d9rRsFnC8zUkeFrkVC...

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#186

Post by peterbrianson » Fri, Dec 05, 2025, 7:10 PM UTC

PaulCarrack wrote: post #160

jslpc wrote: post #159

Anyone get the slideshow before it was taken down? Link no longer works.

I've searched everywhere and it seems gone forever. It was a hell of a slide deck and I wish I had downloaded it before it got taken down. I'd potentially pay money to see it again.

Hello, I'm the Brian that made these slides. Here's a copy, no money required: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M-d9rRsFnC8zUkeFrkVC...

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#187

Post by peterbrianson » Fri, Dec 05, 2025, 7:11 PM UTC

jslpc wrote: post #159

Anyone get the slideshow before it was taken down? Link no longer works.

Hello, I'm the Brian that made these slides. Here's a copy: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M-d9rRsFnC8zUkeFrkVC...

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#188

Post by PaulCarrack » Fri, Dec 05, 2025, 7:12 PM UTC

peterbrianson wrote: post #183

PaulCarrack wrote: post #151

Link is dead. Did anyone make a copy that can reupload?

Hello, I'm the Brian that made these slides. Here's a copy: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M-d9rRsFnC8zUkeFrkVC... One clarification: these are not official internal NYT meeting guidelines; rather, they are learnings from throughout my career that I documented and presented within my teams and departments when I worked at NYT. They developed a life of their own and were shared around the company over the yea…

Thank you so much Brian, I'm so glad I got to read it again. Great slides, great content. You are an expert at your craft. I'll definitely share this with my teams!

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#189

Post by sennalen » Sat, Dec 06, 2025, 12:44 AM UTC

Some of the most valuable meetings I've ever had were optional meetings without agendas. The crucial feature was it was only people who code. When technical people who didn't often interact with each other were given the floor, they turned out to have lots of important things to say.

Re: How to Attend Meetings

#190

Post by huxflux » Mon, Dec 08, 2025, 10:23 AM UTC

maxclark wrote: post #182

jjk166 wrote: post #122

These slides miss most of the point of meetings. You don't just go to talk, you go to listen. Generally if you have enough information that you know what you will share and can expect to receive at a meeting, it should be an email. People can share things on their timetable in the style they are most comfortable with and the information can be reviewed without anyone needing to worry about meeting minutes. Even when…

Did anyone make a copy they can share?

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1M-d9rRsFnC8zUkeFrkVC...