January Q&A: How Do I Speak Up in a Meeting with Big Personalities?
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First, look over the agenda and identify where your input will be most important before the meeting starts. Second, focus on what valuable perspective you can provide when the relevant agenda item comes up. Finally, don't wait for the perfect moment to speak - jump in when there is a brief pause in conversation. With practice speaking up in meetings with strong personalities will get easier and help you do your job better.
January Q&A: How Do I Speak Up in a Meeting with Big Personalities?
- 1. How do I speak when I am in a meeting with BIG personalities?
- 2. This can be hard. There is always one person who takes up the oxygen in the room, and you have to be pushy to get a word in edgewise. So how can you BE HEARD if you aren’t the pushy type?
- 3. First, look over the agenda and pick your battle. It is harder to decide when you are in the thick of things. DECIDE where you think it is most important that you are heard before you set foot in the room.
- 4. Second, as the item comes up on the agenda, FOCUS on what you have to say and why it is valuable to the meeting or organization. Remember your voice is important, often crucial.
- 5. Finally, when the time comes, don’t think too much. Sometimes we wait for the right moment to jump in. NEWSFLASH – there is no right time. Just wait until someone takes a breath and go for it.
- 6. It may not be easy at first, but I PROMISE it will get easier, and so will your job once your voice is heard.
- 7. Do you have a question you’d like answered? Let me know. I may answer it next month. mmaley@articulatepersuasion.com