People Who Hate Wasting Time Often Use 7 Phrases To Professionally Say ‘This Meeting Could’ve Been An Email’
Tanja Nikolaenko | Shutterstock The corporate world isn't always easy to navigate. With demanding tasks and deadlines, the last thing someone wants to see on their busy schedule is a company meeting. Unfortunately, though they may be draining, these meetings can become a huge portion of their job. But just because your job demands communication, that doesn't mean everything needs to be discussed in a meeting.
Efficient people often say these things when a meeting should've been an email:
1. 'Let's aim to save more time in future discussions by emailing instead'
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There's no greater annoyance than sitting through hours-long meetings, only to find out that a whole lot of nothing was said. It completely wastes people's time but also contributes to people falling behind on their assignments, causing them to work late or not meet their deadlines and goals. And when they end up taking work home and fail to separate their work life from their personal life, this can worsen physical and mental health because of increased stress, according to a 2022 study.
Depending on who they are talking to, this phrase could land very poorly with a boss or manager. However, if it's a co-worker they're relatively familiar with, sprinkling honesty into a conversation shouldn't be a huge deal.
2. 'Let's make sure our next meeting only covers things that need to be discussed'
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Everyone's been in a workplace situation where they're called into a meeting while checking off tasks on their to-do list. At first, they might not think much of it and assume the meeting is important, only to discover that nothing critical is being said.
Many co-workers or bosses will call a meeting unnecessarily, assuming what they're relying on is important. But unless it's something that needs to be discussed in person, like sensitive information or a team brainstorm, it's best to put it in an email.
3. 'This seems like something we could have worked through on a quick email thread'
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There's nothing inherently rude about saying something could have been handled by email. But depending on the tone of voice and body language someone uses, they can make this phrase harsh and unhelpful. On top of that, most people don't get overly offended by the truth.
According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, people actually overestimate how someone would react to hearing the truth. With this in mind, workers shouldn't feel too bad about being honest. As long as they are mindful of their tone, saying things this way can prevent these frustrations from recurring.
Being upfront and honest is always a good option. According to clinical psychologist Lisa Firestone, PhD, "Being honest isn't about being hurtful, overly critical, or righteous. It's possible to be sensitive to another person's feelings while being truthful about our own."
4. 'I think we should revisit the frequency of these meetings'
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Playing it safe is good, but if a meeting's frequency is truly bothering someone, it's better to address it directly. Asking to revisit how often meetings are held is one of the great phrases brilliant people use to say, "this meeting could have been an email."
People might not want to have those uncomfortable conversations, because being vulnerable can feel terrifying, but raising important issues like this is essential to a safe workplace. If people don't want to be taken advantage of and want a balanced work and life, speaking up for themselves is a must. Of course, they should steer clear of aggression and blame; otherwise, it can make fellow employees feel like they don't matter.
5. 'Unless there's a clear agenda, let's update everyone through email'
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Most people have been in the uncomfortable position of being forced into a meeting they would rather not attend. Annoyed and frustrated, they wonder why they were included in the first place and may use a phrase like this to express it.
While minor updates should be discussed through email, everyone has their own way of communicating. While younger generations might prefer email, older generations often find team meetings more helpful, saying it all in person. So, people should be direct about their needs and what warrants a meeting versus what could have been a simple email.
6. 'I'd love to understand what part of the conversation couldn't have been in writing'
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Not everyone knows the difference between what should and shouldn't be turned into a meeting. It may be a force of habit to demand a meeting for every little thing, but gathering the team to discuss minutiae is wasteful and frustrating.
Saying, "I'd love to understand what part of the conversation couldn't have been in writing so we can shorten things next time," may seem harsh, but going through this uncomfortable conversation has its benefits. It shows employees what is and isn't important and helps them decide what to discuss next time they set up a meeting, possibly cutting it short in the future.
7. 'Thank you for your time, but let's discuss when a meeting is and isn't warranted'
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Understandably, people don't always have time to help someone realize what should and shouldn't be discussed in person. Walking someone through the dos and don'ts can be frustrating when people are busy, but when all else fails and someone isn't sure what to do, being upfront about unnecessary parts of the meeting is their best bet.
While it may seem rude, it's in everyone's best interest to not waste time in meetings that could have been an email. It's tiring to sit through so many meetings, so when a company decides when a meeting shouldn't happen, workers can then focus on what's most important.
Marielisa Reyes is a writer with a bachelor's degree in psychology who covers self-help, relationships, career, family, and astrology topics.
