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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Meeting Time: Speak Up or Shut Up?

Contribute meaningfully to others!

I’ve recently shared some tips on how to make meetings better and more productive, so I’m now backing it up!  

Meetings are a reality whether you’re an intern, a new employee, or a manager. Meetings are great opportunities for your career growth, or they can sideline you quickly, so it’s important to know how to make the most of them.

According to Harvard Business Review,  how you speak up during meetings is a great indicator of leadership readiness. So here are three great strategies you can try:

1. Prepare talking points. Do your research on what the meeting will be about. List your questions if you have any, and take note of your comments. BUT JUST BECAUSE YOU WROTE IT DOWN, doesn’t mean you have to say it. Ask questions to find out what the single biggest issue really is. Get clarity around that, and you’ll be a champion.

2. S.T.A.Y. and W.A.I.T. Sometimes when you’re really into the topic, you can end up talking too much. Trust me, I know from experience! That’s why I write three things at the top of my paper: the names of anyone I don’t know, W.A.I.T. (Why Am I Talking?), and S.T.A.Y. (Stop Talking About Yourself). 

3. Be confident! Relax and purposely take a few deep breaths. This will help you speak with conviction and courage. Remember, the best thing you can do for the rest of the group is to get clarity around the real issue to be resolved.

Your opinion is important, so prepare to share it in a way that is helpful and effective.

Excited to see you rocking meetings!

Dr. Rob

 

 

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