| Sometimes missing a critical meeting just can't be | | | | information on the discussion topics and the |
| helped. Despite the advance planning, you just | | | | outcomes of the conversation? Was a colleague |
| cannot make it to the meeting. Before you get | | | | or associate in attendance? If it was your boss, |
| out the guilt stick and beat yourself up about how | | | | see if you can get some face time to review |
| stupid that was or how bad it's going to be for | | | | what transpired. Follow up with the person in |
| your career, take a step back and examine how | | | | charge of the event. Send a handwritten note to |
| to overcome your absence. | | | | them and apologize for your absence. Volunteer |
| If you have been following my advice, you did all | | | | to help again at the next event. Remember you |
| of the advance preparation for attending the | | | | are not really doing penance; you are just getting |
| meeting or the show. You know from those | | | | back into the loop. |
| preparations about the specific activities and | | | | Sometimes actually missing a meeting can work |
| events that you missed. Always keep the agenda | | | | to your advantage. After the event, you can get |
| or the pre-show planner until after the event | | | | in front of important participants by requesting |
| occurs. | | | | that they bring you up to speed. Apologize for |
| Recently I had to miss an important event at | | | | missing the event but don't obsess about it. We all |
| which I was to give a speech. Fortunately, I was | | | | experience events beyond our control. |
| prepared in advance and was able to send my | | | | Establish a rapport with the meeting leaders and |
| speech via email for distribution at the event. | | | | discuss a absence protocol. Volunteer to set one |
| Learn from this: Prepare in advance. Plan for | | | | up. This places you in a favorable position. You are |
| Murphy's Law. Be prepared to ask someone to | | | | still willing to do your share and be active in the |
| present your information or represent you at the | | | | group's outcome. |
| event. In the case that you are irreplaceable (we | | | | Volunteer for other assignments. A word of |
| all wish that) contact the lead organizer and let | | | | caution: if the reason for missing the meeting was |
| them know you have a conflict. Find out the best | | | | family or medical issues that are not resolved, |
| way to proceed and explore if there is anything | | | | wait for this step to your plate is clear. Missing |
| you can do in advance to smooth it over. If extra | | | | one meeting is OK. Missing more than that can |
| work is required as a result of your inability to | | | | cause problems. |
| attend, do it. That way you are making a | | | | Remember the important issue is to not |
| commitment even if you are not there. | | | | overreact because you couldn't be there. Regroup |
| Tip: Try not to wait until the last minute to report | | | | and rethink your strategy to get back into the |
| that you can't make it. The more advance notice | | | | mainstream events and activities. |
| you give, the better the relationship will be and | | | | Think big picture and plot in the grand scheme of |
| they better their chance to find a replacement. | | | | things. Yes, you really hated that you missed a |
| After you have missed the event, spend some | | | | critical meeting but in the long run responsiveness |
| time assessing what activities took place. Think it | | | | and willingness to commit is what people will |
| terms of the most critical elements. Did someone | | | | remember after that single event. |
| take notes? Can you get them? Who has the | | | | |