Not all meetings are on the calendar.
Some of the most important ones happen informally:
• quick check-ins
• hallway conversations
• pre-alignment discussions
If you’re not part of those conversations, you may enter the formal meeting at a disadvantage.
Example from my career
I’ve seen situations where professionals were fully prepared for the formal discussion —
but key stakeholders had already aligned privately.
That gap often explains why ideas stall or shift unexpectedly.
Discussion
Have you ever realized there were conversations happening that you weren’t part of?
Relevant SHIELD Pillars
L – Listen Strategically
D – Disengage and Redirect
I – Initiate Interactions Intentionally