> The point of "taking it offline" is that they stop wasting everyone else's time with it
So you’re deciding it’s a good idea to waste your time and their time? Isn’t there work to do?
> It also effectively says "This isn't the most important thing for us to discuss right now".
Don’t effectively say it. Just say it. They’re an adult and can understand when they don’t get their way.
> But it's important that they have a chance to "be heard"
They had their chance to be heard — in the meeting. And if you’re meeting them “offline” to stop wasting everyone else’s time, are you actually hearing them or are you trying to trick them into thinking they are being heard?
Feels like a horrendously frustrating way to work — holding little side meetings to pretend like you care what somebody has to say so you can avoid telling them they are wasting everyone’s time.
Work is work. Sometimes ideas are bad. It’s not Little League where everybody gets a chance to play in every game.
