# What Type of Meeting is This By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-11-03 There are different types of meetings. Some meetings are informational. During these meetings, people are made aware of something new. The focus of these meetings is on what is known. Another type of meeting is focused on discussion. People share their interpretations and opinions about a given topic during these meetings. The focus of these meetings is on what those in the organization think. Yet another type of meeting is focused on decisions. During these meetings, people determine what they are going to do. The focus of these meetings is on action. Organizations don’t always have clarity about whether they need a meeting focused on knowing, thinking, or doing. There is at least one other type of organizational meeting, the rhetorical. These meetings are held for symbolic reasons. Those attending meetings should know the type of meeting before they arrive. This would help them focus their attention and provide responses strategically aligned to the intent. Often, there is no idea what type of meeting one is in. Therefore, people tend to respond across the entire spectrum of options. People will throw out random factoids about the organization, and others will offer their opinions. People will propose solutions to problems that have neither been defined nor analyzed. All of this will have a rhetorical quality as most people involved simply play the part they assume is required for an “engaged” individual. Rarely is something meaningful accomplished. This plays out indefinitely. If one cannot determine the type of meeting needed, question if it is really necessary. #### Related Items [[Meetings]] [[Organization]] [[Knowledge]] [[Thinking]] [[Decision-making]] [[Discussions]]