Guide
How to brief someone who's attending for you
Whether it's a colleague or your Clonzi, the same three lines make the difference between a useful stand-in and an awkward one.
The three lines
Goal What this meeting needs from you. May What they can agree to or share in your name. Don't What they must not agree to or discuss.
Goal: one sentence
"Confirm the launch date" beats "weekly sync". It tells the stand-in what a good outcome looks like.
May: be specific
"May agree to Friday or Monday" is clear. "Use your judgment" isn't. Anything not listed should be deferred.
Don't: name the traps
Pricing, budget, hiring, new commitments: the topics people will raise because you're not there. Saying them out loud is what keeps your stand-in safe.
And always: "I'll come back to you"
A good stand-in defers gracefully. "That's one for Alex, I'll bring it to him" keeps the meeting moving without promising anything.