A co-worker sends you an email asking if you’re available for a 2:30 PM meeting, and your first thought is: How am I going to get out of this?
Before you automatically (though, begrudgingly) agree because you don’t think you have a choice, keep this is mind: While it’s true people will judge someone who declines every meeting or backs out after agreeing, that’s not what’s happening here. If your teammate’s asking you to join at the very last-minute—and you explain why you can’t in a thoughtful manner—odds are he or she will understand.
Like a courtesy CC, sometimes co-workers think that including you even when it’s not totally necessary is the nice thing to do—and they have no idea that it’s creating extra work on your end.
Successful people avoid extra meetings. Knowing this, you may’ve decided to try the to limit the number you attend each week.
If it’s a one-on-one meeting, follow up by asking if you could reschedule for a time that works better for you. And say that in the meantime, you’re happy to start the conversation over email (you’d be amazed how many issues can be resolved this way!). If a large group’s invited, ask if it’d be alright for you to send in thoughts in advance, or comment on notes afterward, whichever would be more helpful.
If you always agree to meeting requests, declining may feel a little nerve-wracking at first. So, think about what you’re achieving. Not only could it save you from a time-waster today, but in the future, it could encourage people to contact you with relevant invites only.
Photo of people talking at desk courtesy of Hero Images/Getty Images.