Coffee After Meetings

I've noticed something over the years.

The most important conversations almost never happen during the meeting.

They happen afterwards.

Someone walks beside you.

Someone grabs a coffee.

Someone asks,

"Do you have two minutes?"

That's usually when the real conversation begins.

No presentations.

No agenda.

No pressure.

Just honesty.

I've learned more about people over coffee than I ever have inside meeting rooms.

Ambitions.

Doubts.

Ideas.

Frustrations.

Dreams.

It's amazing how much easier people find it to speak when they no longer feel like they're being evaluated.

Those conversations have quietly shaped the way I work.

Sometimes solving a technical problem isn't the most valuable thing you can do that day.

Sometimes simply listening is.

Coffee has become a small reminder for me.

Slow down.

Listen properly.

The work will still be there afterwards.

People are usually more important.