Every professional has one. A meeting that shows up on the calendar and you dread going. Not because it's long or badly run — just because you can't see the point. You're not presenting, not deciding, not learning. You're attending.
The meeting you can't skip. And why it feels like a waste.
Why These Meetings Exist
These meetings usually exist for one of three reasons:
The organizer needs you there for optics. Not for input — for presence. Someone wants the meeting to look populated, or to signal that a decision has buy-in from all relevant parties.
The information sharing requires your presence. Not because you have a unique perspective — because the organizer doesn't trust async updates to reach you effectively.
No one has ever questioned whether it should exist. It's on the calendar. It always has been. Therefore it continues.
The Cost
You sit in the meeting. Your camera is on or off. You may or may not speak. You definitely won't remember what was discussed an hour after it ends.
And you can't skip it — not because of the meeting itself, but because of what skipping would signal.
How to Handle It
Opt out where possible.
Send a message: "I have a conflict, can I get the notes instead?" This works when the meeting truly doesn't need you.
Add value when you're there.
Ask the question that nobody wants to ask. Surface the thing that everyone's thinking but not saying. If you're going to be in the room, be present.
Push back on recurring meetings that don't serve you.
Once. Politely. "I notice I've been in this meeting six times and haven't contributed. Can we consider making it async or removing my attendance?"
The meeting you can't skip is often a meeting that could be skipped. Make the case for why yours doesn't need to be a meeting.
Top comments (0)