Now that it’s time of elections… let’s talk about important meetings.

Well… maybe you remember who was Schabowski.

Some people leave a meeting with action items.

Günter Schabowski left one with a border crisis.

Berlin.

9 November 1989.

Schabowski was giving a press conference about new travel rules for East Germans.

He had received the document shortly beforehand.

He hadn’t read it carefully.

Excellent preparation… that I truly recommend for you.

Then came a perfectly reasonable question:

When do the new rules take effect?

He looked through his papers…

And answered:

“According to my information, immediately, without delay.”

Small problem.

The announcement and implementation were planned for the following day.

The border guards hadn’t received new orders.

But television spread the news.

Thousands of people headed to the crossings.

Eventually, the guards opened them.

And you know what’s next.

Probably and awkward outcome for whoever owned the implementation plan.

Now.

Your next project meeting probably won’t change European history.

But it could change who pays for the next six months of delay.

When someone asks:

“Can you commit to that date?”

And you say:

“Should be fine.”

And…

Your planner hasn’t checked it.

Your commercial manager hasn’t priced it.

Your lawyer has just developed a facial twitch.

But you wanted to sound helpful.

Decisive.

Senior.

Prepare for what’s next…

The minutes arrive.

Your lovely little “should be fine” has grown up.

It now wears a suit and have had to the time to do a post-doc.

“The Project Director confirmed…”

Congratulations.

You went into the meeting to discuss a problem.

You came out owning it.

This is why I created and interesting course:

​The TOP 10 Errors During Meetings That Kill Your PPP ​

For the people who have to face the board afterwards.

Explain what happened.

And answer the delightful question:

“Why did you agree to that?”

You can have twenty years of experience.

A very expensive title.

And a beautiful project dashboard.

Your mouth can still outrun all three.

​The TOP 10 Errors During Meetings That Kill Your PPP ​

P.S. “Let me verify that and come back to you” might feel less impressive.

So does explaining an unapproved commitment to your board.

Choose your discomfort.

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