Clues for living in the corporate world

I'm a big fan of Joel on Software and Paul Graham's excellent blog. You should read them, if you live in the corporate world, and especially if you live in a part of the corporate world that deals with technology. But that is not what this morning's message is about. This morning's message is about stupid meetings (which I've just endured several of in a row, a fate which I don't normally have to put up with), so instead, let me share with you a link on one of the critical skills in the corporate world, Agenda Detection. Everyone in a meeting is there for a reason. Spending as little wasted and soul destroying time in useless meetings is a goal all of us can get behind. Read this article for some tips on how to do so. Or, alternately, into some insight into what the smart money is doing in those meetings, and why doesn't Bob-the-project-owner ever seem to actually show up for the weekly status review. (Quick answer: Because he doesn't believe that it advances his goals to do so)