Your team members can't agree on meeting times. How do you manage their conflicting priorities?
When team members can't agree on meeting times, it can halt productivity and cause frustration. Here’s how to manage those conflicting priorities:
How do you handle scheduling conflicts in your team?
Your team members can't agree on meeting times. How do you manage their conflicting priorities?
When team members can't agree on meeting times, it can halt productivity and cause frustration. Here’s how to manage those conflicting priorities:
How do you handle scheduling conflicts in your team?
-
If conflicts persist, I implement a rotating meeting schedule so that the inconvenience is shared fairly among the team. This ensures no one group consistently bears the burden of inconvenient times. I also establish core working hours, during which everyone is expected to be available for meetings, helping avoid unnecessary conflicts. Finally, I emphasize flexibility and encourage open communication about personal schedules, ensuring we can adapt when needed while maintaining productivity.
-
Propose a rotating schedule, use a poll to find the best time, or suggest asynchronous updates for flexibility. Encourage compromise and emphasize the importance of participation.
-
1. Map the underlying assumptions behind the top priorities 2. Define the top priority, or "north star" 3. Organize the conflicting priorities by importance 4. Identify any dependencies affecting the priorities 5. Use strategies like mapping and diagramming to brainstorm and visualize connections 6. Analyze if and how resourcing will be affected 7. Adjust timelines and update the schedule to reflect changes 8. Set boundaries and expectations 9. Communicate changes with the relevant stakeholders 10. Find ways to offload or delegate
-
Astute arbitration is necessary to manage competing schedules. I place a high value on a cooperative, data-driven strategy, using scheduling tools to identify common ground and visualise availability. I encourage candid discussion and make sure all opinions are heard by using strategic communication. In the end, this produces a mutually acceptable, productive meeting time by cultivating an atmosphere of respect for one another.
-
Plan a peaceful meeting rather than a violent altercation. Use strategic communication to uncover the fundamental causes of every dispute. Determine synergistic windows and use digital tools to schedule them as efficiently as possible. Next, enable a democratic vote to promote inclusive decision-making. Promote adaptable solutions to reduce friction and increase productivity, such as asynchronous updates. Prioritize collective goals, ensuring all voices resonate.
Rate this article
More relevant reading
-
HR OperationsYour team member is always late for meetings and deadlines. How can you address this issue effectively?
-
TeamworkWhat do you do if you're a consultant facing challenges in cross-functional teams?
-
Business CommunicationsHow can you balance competing priorities to maximize productivity?
-
Stress ManagementHow do you prioritize your team's workload?