The Timeless Woes of Corporate Meetings: A Historical Glimpse
From Shilling Fines to Zoom - The Evolution of Meeting Etiquette Through the Ages
Meetings have been a cornerstone of corporate life for centuries. But did you know that even in the 1600s, there was a shared sentiment of meeting fatigue? An observation from historical records indicates that our modern-day annoyance with long-winded meetings has deep-rooted origins.
While delving into the first four years of activity reports of the British East India Company, spanning from 1599 to 1603, I stumbled upon a gem on page 201. The rule for meetings stated:
In modern English, this translates to:
"For the better and more orderly proceeding in the deliberation of matters proposed in general Courts, either for the establishment of any act or ordinances or in any other matters concerning the Company, it is ordered that it shall not be lawful for any member of this Company to speak to any one matter more than three times, upon the penalty of forfeiting a 3s. 4d. for each such excess in speech."
Essentially, this meant that any member of the Company was not permitted to speak on any single topic more than three times during a meeting. If they did, they'd be fined 3 shillings and 4 pence, which was no trivial sum for that era.
It's amusing to realize that the disdain for prolonged meetings isn't just a modern sentiment. Our predecessors from the first modern corporation felt similarly. It's as if they were sending a message through time, echoing our contemporary frustrations: "Get to the point!"
Bringing the narrative to the present day, it's worth noting that many modern corporations have implemented their unique meeting protocols to maximize efficiency. A prime example is Amazon's "six-page memo" policy. Before any meeting begins at Amazon, a memo is prepared and read by all attendees at the start of the meeting. This ensures everyone is on the same page (literally) and discussions can be more focused and productive.
Drawing a parallel between the two eras, both the British East India Company and Amazon recognized the value of time. The former penalized members for repetitive discourse, while the latter emphasizes the importance of clarity and preparation before any discussion.
In conclusion, the next time you find yourself in a seemingly endless meeting, remember: the collective sighs of exasperation at needless prolongations have echoed through the corridors of time. Meetings, it seems, are truly a timeless affair. But it's not just about looking back. As we move forward, the form and nature of meetings will inevitably evolve. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of platforms like Zoom, reshaping the traditional meeting into a virtual gathering. And as technology advances further, the emergence of immersive digital realms suggests that virtual reality meetings might soon be the norm. While the essence of meetings remains consistent, their manifestation continues to adapt to the zeitgeist of each era. So, with a dash of humor and historical perspective, we can navigate these ever-changing meeting landscapes with renewed patience and perhaps, a hint of amused skepticism.