Gerald Oconnor

Background

About Gerald Oconnor

SETTING YOU FREE. It was a quiet day at the office (as most days were during the pandemic), when my thoughts were interrupted by a ring tone. The caller, a friend, was enquiring as to whether I had received the link for a remote meeting that was to take place that evening. I had to remind the caller that I was no longer a member of that committee and he ended the conversation as soon as good manners dictated. I was taken aback by my own reaction; a feeling of relief that I didn't have to attend the event. My experience of previous gatherings informed me that there would have been nothing contentious surrounding the meeting; it would rather have been a formulaic delivery of reports with very little decision making. But for the phone call I wouldn't have realised the extent of the negativity I felt towards previous gatherings. When every aspect of an organisation has efficiency as the bottom line why do we put up with meetings; that test our will to live when, with proper planning, they can be events we look forward to? Less, more effective, meetings can transform the culture of the entire organisation. These events deserve adequate preparation.