Business Skills - Tips for effective meetings

speak up and stand out whether you're in a face to face virtual or hybrid meeting, often the same problems arise the same. Few people will hog the limelight and the speaking time. If you come out of your meetings feeling that you missed an opportunity to speak up and stand out, you need to take action. Hybrid meetings in which some people meet face to face and the rest of the participants take part remotely are often the most difficult to master. They usually combine the best and worst elements of both worlds more people can easily attend, but the temptation to text under the table, multi task and switch off is probably still high. You may have to work harder to grab people's attention whatever kind of meeting you're attending and the reasons for holding it. These seven tips will help you stand out and make a good impression, highlight your homework, have some talking points prepared, ask to see the agenda before the meeting so that you can look at material and prepare your views in advance. Also come up with fresh ideas that you could bring to the table. Think of the meeting as a place to showcase what you know and what you can contribute when you do speak up, show that what you have to say relates to the general purpose of the meeting, highlight your contribution. Don't minimize what you achieved. Women often do this without realizing it usually by saying, we when they really mean. I instead consider playing up your contribution, but in a good way, be honest, ideally you should prepare an elevator pitch version of what you want to say, share the credit when reporting on successes in your team, don't take all the credit. Instead acknowledge people individually by sharing the credit with others. You are showing that you respect the team. Team players stand out for a good reason, engage with everyone as you speak. Show that your message relates to the other participants mention their names and you'll grab their attention. The more people feel that your words are directed at them, the more likely it is that your words will stand out. The more people you include, the more interesting your message becomes for everyone in virtual or hybrid meetings it may feel easier to engage with people via the chat function but your voice is always more powerful. Sit up and lean in just not too close in video calls, webcam. Place ups can be brutal. Master your message and the tech be clear and concise and stay on message. If you have to present something in the meeting, save it on your computer beforehand. That way you'll be able to share the right screen immediately. You'll definitely stand out if you've mastered the technology to make use of questions, be open to answering questions. People appreciate it when you were transparent. Also ask open questions. Such questions invite people to reflect on their opinions and on the relevance of their input to the purpose of the meeting. People will appreciate your efforts to keep the meeting focused and short, be clear and assertive if you are regularly talked over in meetings, try using more assertive language, tentative language. I was thinking that maybe we could can result in people interrupting you. Also pay attention to the tone of your voice. Women sometimes raise their voice too much when making an important point. Sadly people often react negatively to someone with a high pitched voice. If you feel your voice is going up, take a deep breath before continuing and then try to speak more slowly and don't let others interrupt you. Be firm. Be inspired by Kamala Harris, the future U. S. Vice president. You calmly shut down interruptions in her debate with VP mike Pence simply by saying Mr Vice president, I'm speaking stand your ground and you will stand out.