Ask HN: How to Spot Committees in your org?
There’s a common notion that decisions by committee should be avoided. Now I doubt that committees identify themselves as committees. I assume that if it was easy to spot committees they would be avoided. So, I would assume that committees are invisible unless you go looking. My question for HN is what are signs that you’ve got a committee on your hands whether you realize it or not? Good question. I need to talk to a few people before I can give you an answer Typical signs for hidden committees:
- Slooooow decision making
- Repeated meetings on the same topic, with no new information, and no conclusion
- Being asked to consult x, y and z who send you to more people Antidote: take decisions that are in your remit and get your boss to back you up against the committee’s backlash (strategise with boss early to make sure you are on the same page)