{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "description": "The dark secret of meetings: canceling with a little notice is wonderful, not rude — four words ('I need to reschedule') are all you ever need to say.",
  "path": "/articles/larry-david-taught-secret-meetings/",
  "publishedAt": "2017-02-16T00:39:31.000Z",
  "site": "at://did:plc:jznynyzgerlqmdbbj33o7wfs/site.standard.publication/3mnll3icujb2z",
  "tags": [
    "Business Operations"
  ],
  "textContent": "I want to share a dark secret of meetings.\n\nIt goes against everything you’ve heard and with one caveat, every single person I know has confirmed this secret to be 100%, absolutely true.\n\nIt’s wonderful — WONDERFUL — if you cancel a meeting.\n\nLet me make it clear: if we have a meeting scheduled you and you cancel or reschedule it with an hour or two (or more) notice, I am ecstatic.\n\nYou can always get back on my schedule. You can always book another time for us to talk. You never need a reason or excuse.\n\nYou just need four words.\n\n“I need to reschedule.“\n\nSend those four words and I’ll be ecstatic! Never happier!\n\nMaybe it has been a terrible day and I’d have an empty afternoon to rest in — except for one meeting right in the middle of the afternoon.\n\nMaybe I don’t want to be in the office. Maybe I want to bug out of there and have a drink or see a movie or go on a hike.\n\nMaybe it’s a crazy day and I am searching for an extra thirty minutes to squeeze in something that I have, have, have to get done today, no questions asked.\n\nIf you cancel a meeting with me with a little notice — please do be considerate and professional and give some notice — I will be ecstatic. I will never be offended if you cancel a meeting.\n\nIt’s fine. We’ll book another time.\n\nExcelsior!\n\nKai",
  "title": "What Larry David taught me about the secret of meetings"
}