Most managers know the challenge: you’re chairing a meeting with a clear purpose, a clear agenda… and then someone raises a point that’s genuinely interesting, potentially valuable — but completely off-topic.

You’ve got a choice to make.

Do you shut it down quickly and risk sounding dismissive?

Or do you explore it and watch the agenda unravel?

There’s a simple technique that avoids both extremes: the Car Park (or the Parking Lot, for those on the other side of the Atlantic).

What the Car Park is

It’s literally a physical (or virtual) space in the room where off-topic but valuable ideas are “parked” so the meeting can stay focused.

It could be:

• A corner of a whiteboard
• A sheet of flipchart paper
• A blank section of wall
• A digital equivalent in Teams/Miro/Zoom

When someone raises a tangent that shouldn’t be explored right now, you write it down — often on a sticky note — and place it in the Car Park.

Why this works

The mechanism is simple, but the psychology behind it is powerful:

1. It shows people they’ve been heard. You’re not ignoring them or dismissing their idea. You’re capturing it, visibly.
2. It recognises the value of the contribution. It tells the room: “This is worth revisiting — just not right now.”
3. It preserves meeting momentum. You can steer the conversation back to the agenda without creating tension.
4. It reduces defensive behaviour. When people feel listened to, they’re less likely to fight to keep their tangent alive.
5. It creates a useful backlog of ideas. Often, the Car Park becomes a goldmine for future agendas, problem-solving sessions, or follow-ups.

How to introduce it without feeling awkward

You only need one sentence:

“That’s a great point — let’s put it in the Car Park so we don’t lose it, and come back to it later.”

Say it calmly, consistently, and without eye-rolling or sarcasm.

Within two meetings, people get used to it — and often start suggesting it themselves.

When to revisit the Car Park

Always check the Car Park at the end of the meeting.

Decide which items need:

• A quick follow-up conversation
• Their own agenda slot at a later meeting
• A delegated action
• Or to be dropped with consent from the group

That final review is what gives the Car Park credibility.

The real benefit

The Car Park isn’t just a productivity tool — it’s a trust tool.

It creates a meeting culture where focus and respect can coexist. People feel heard, the agenda stays intact, and you keep the room engaged rather than frustrated.

A tiny habit, but one that genuinely changes the tone and effectiveness of meetings.