5 Ways to Kindly Decline Pointless Meetings

Pointless meetings – we’ve all experienced them and we all want to avoid them!  I’m not talking about meetings within a corporation.  I’m talking about being at a networking event and someone wanting to grab coffee or lunch with you.

It starts out innocently enough:  you find yourself at a professional business event, you are meeting people, passing out business cards when someone asks to have a one-on-one with you. 

There could be several reasons you want to decline this person:

1. Maybe you see their business card and know immediately that they want to sell you something you don’t necessarily want or need.
2. Perhaps you look at their industry and realize that, while they are nice enough, it won’t benefit you professionally to meet with them.
3. It could be that they are notorious for hard-pitching people in the room, or even
4. They aren’t looking to talk shop or business, but they are looking to get into your “business” if you catch my drift. *wink wink*
5. Lastly, it could be there is something off-putting about them.  You don’t know what it is, but your gut tells you to “move along and don’t look back!”

Warning Signs that Someone Wants a Pointless Meeting with You

There are also warning signs that a meeting may be a waste of time.

1. No agenda is offered.
2. You’ve met before.
3. There’s nothing for you to gain from the meeting either personally or professionally (I know this sounds selfish, but business IS transactional.  You should be able to get value out of every meeting you attend).

Whatever the reason, declining pointless meetings can be difficult especially if you don’t want to offend someone.  There are, however, tactful ways of doing so that leaves you with more time and energy.

5 Ways to Kindly Decline Pointless Meetings

•  “I’m really busy, could we schedule a 10-minute call instead?”

I like this approach because you are acknowledging your time crunch, but still showing them that you are willing to chat over the phone.

•  Ask for the meeting’s objective. 

If the point of the meeting is vague, off-topic or nonexistent, it would serve you to point out that you wouldn’t be a value-add to the meeting.

•  Recommend a replacement.

A professional may want to meet with you, but perhaps you could replace yourself with someone who would equally benefit from meeting with them.

•  Agree to follow up with them later.

Just because a meeting now doesn’t serve you doesn’t mean you need to shut the door.  Keep your door open!  Remember, you never know how it is you can help someone you meet or vice-versa.

•  Ask for an email instead.

Email has become increasingly popular since COVID-19.  Explain to the person that email correspondence may be more productive and efficient.

In summary, our professional world has changed since the quarantine.  Professionals and business owners are over-worked, understaffed and it seems like everyone is trying to work more efficiently.

It only make sense that you would want to work more efficiently as well!  Give these few tips a try and be sure to read “Ways to end face-to-face meetings politely” should you find yourself in the throes of a pointless meeting!

About We&Co and The We&Co Huddles

We&Co is a professional co-oping & professional networking business that was founded in Springfield, Missouri in 2020.  While there are many professional networking groups in and around the United States, We&Co focuses on creating small industry-specific groups with five to ten professionals who all have the same target audience but offer different products and services.

In essence, professionals come to us when they want to save time while making more money.  These industry-specific groups are essential pods of professionals surrounded by their ideal referral partners.

These small groups of referral partners (called “Huddles) meet up twice a month for an hour and talk strategy on how to become that one-stop-shop for their clients.  If you are a professional who is interested in joining or launching your own We&Co co-op (or “Huddle” as we like to call them), feel free to email us here and remember to sign up for a FREE 14-day trial (no credit card details needed).