Does anyone else remember when status meetings used to be a working session of the transparent and honest exchange of progress, barriers, and risks in pursuit of a shared objective? When did they become a superficial exercise where we’re all expected to be “nice”? 

A colleague of mine was venting recently about a consultant who supports her that in her opinion spends too much time catching-up, chit-chatting, and talking about personal things at the beginning of their meetings. My colleague, although extremely nice and personable, is also a “Type A” and is keenly focused on successfully meeting their project objectives. I asked her if she had ever heard of the SOLAR Model…she had not…because I think she might have a short S!