Employee Success Toolkit Tool #11: How to Make an Impact at Meetings Copyright Harriet Meyerson 2008 • www.ConfidenceCenter.com

Meetings Can Be Beneficial Keep a project rolling Discuss problems and brainstorm solutions Assign tasks Find out what’s going on Connect with people

Meetings Can Also Help Your Career “You can get the most out of meetings when you use them to advance your career… while you also work to achieve the meetings objectives.” Marjorie Brody, founder of Brody Communications and author of, Help! Was That a Career Limiting Move?

You will now have a positive attitude because you have a mission. Before the Meeting Inquire about what’s going to be discussed. Think about how you can contribute. What important message do you want to get across? It can relate to something on the agenda. It can be an idea that will benefit your company. It can be about a community concern or project. You will now have a positive attitude because you have a mission.

Prepare A 60 second message will not disrupt the meeting and will have an impact. Start with a “grabber” sentence. Tell a short story or give an example. Have an ending that asks people to take action. Time and rehearse your message several times.

During the Meeting Get to the meeting early. Stay alert. Show your interest in the meeting’s agenda. Sit on the edge of your chair. Take notes. Ask appropriate questions.

Delivering Your Message Your message can add great benefit to the purpose of the meeting. Find a suitable moment in the first ten minutes to contribute your message. Answer a question, and then transition to your topic. For example, “…and that question reminds me of another important issue.” Respond to a someone’s statement with, “That’s a very important point, and here’s another important point about…”

Don’t Let Others Steal Your Thunder If someone interrupts you, use their name and say… “Would you please let me finish, Mary…” “Mary, as I was saying…” This brings the attention back to your idea.

Support Others’ Ideas If someone has an idea that you like, say… “I really support your idea because…” You will be giving encouragement for a useful idea. You will get noticed for your participation in the meeting.

Watch Your Behavior Sit up straight. Look attentive. Interact at appropriate times. Take notes to help you concentrate. Don’t: Doodle. Swivel in your chair. Look around the room.

Help the Meeting Stay On Track If the meeting leader gets off track, you can add value to a meeting by saying, “We only have another 15 minutes. How do we want to spend it?”

When the Meeting is Over Follow up by doing what you have promised. This will give you a reputation for being trusted with responsibility. Follow up with relationships. You get great insights about people’s needs during meetings. Use these to offer your help. Helping others with their goals, helps you look better.

The Results You have… made an impact at the meeting. followed up with tasks. helped co-workers. demonstrated your value to your company. done things in a way that will get you noticed and advance your career.

How to Make an Impact at Meetings Quiz & Discussion Questions

Question 1 Why are meetings important?

Question 2 What kinds of things should you think about prior to a meeting?

Question 3 What are three actions you should take during a meeting?

Question 4 Why is it important to follow up with ideas and relationships after a meeting is over?

Question 5 Name 3 ways you can contribute to a meeting.

Set Your Goals What are your three main goals for making an impact at meetings?