Direct report long-winded

[Anonymous]

I have a new job and one of my direct reports is annoying the crap out of me. He talks forever without saying anything. He will also do things like mention at the start of a meeting that he will have to leave early. Fine, although he takes five minutes to explain this. But then he will come on again when it is time to leave and spend another five minutes apologizing and explaining that he has to leave.. I don’t care. Just close the zoom and go!

Any advice for how to address this without being rude or making him too miserable?

[Anonymous]

Idk about the other issues, but for the meeting, speak with him separately: “Joe, I appreciate you giving me and the team a heads up of your need to leave early. So as not to take up meeting time with these announcements, please use the chat function to inform the group of your situation.”

[Anonymous]

Is this person new to the workplace? Be direct and say you are not going to be taken seriously, be effective, or move up the ladder if you cannot learn to be concise. People up the chain do not have the time to listen so you have to very quickly learn to figure out what needs to be shared in the meeting, what needs to be shared separately or in a follow up email, and how to make your point quickly because others won't be as patient as me.