You’re in yet another meeting where you don’t really have much to contribute. Or you’re scrolling through endless cc’d emails “just in case”. Because what if you miss something? What if something happens without your input? What if someone thinks you’re not engaged enough?
That fear is a serious productivity killer. Workplace FOMO – Fear Of Missing Out – steals your focus. You think you’re being smart, but in reality, you’re sabotaging your own work.
That reflex Is understandable.
- You don’t want to miss out on opportunities or risk being out of sight at the wrong moment.
- Your ego enjoys being in the know.
- You don’t always have a clear overview of your priorities, so you’re unsure what you should actually not be doing.
The way out: an information diet with RACI
You don’t need to be informed about everything. Trust that colleagues will reach out when your input is essential. The RACI model helps bring structure to this. RACI stands for:
- Responsible – You carry out the work and take responsibility for tasks. You’re actively involved in meetings and decision-making.
- Accountable – You hold final responsibility and ensure the goal is achieved. You should always be present.
- Consulted – You provide advice or expertise on a specific aspect. You only contribute when your input is requested.
- Informed – You’re kept up to date on progress. A short update or summary is usually enough; you don’t need to attend every meeting.
Use RACI as a filter to determine where your presence is truly needed and where you can confidently step back. This helps prevent unnecessary busyness and keeps your focus on what really matters in a project or collaboration.
How to approach it:
- Discuss with your team: Who has which role in this project? And what does that mean for meetings and communication?
- Dare to cut back: Say “no” to meetings where you’re only present “just in case”.
- Do the conversion: Ask yourself when in doubt: what am I not doing if I do this? Often, that’s far more valuable.
- Trust others: If something truly important comes up, your colleagues will find you.
First step: Grab your calendar and inbox and cancel at least one meeting or channel this week where you don’t really add value. Label it with the RACI role and discover how much time and breathing space that gives you.
