Participating in a Meeting

Meeting are a crucial part of an organization's daily operations. Fresh talent graduating from Indian Universities, in particular, are not trained or encouraged to hone the quality of participating in conversations. This blog will cover tips to build learning agility, get recognized at workplace, and leave a long lasting impression.

Participating in Meetings Effectively

Participating in meetings effectively is just as important as leading them effectively. Here are some tips for participating in meetings effectively:

1. Note Taking:

Actively take notes. Write down everything you understand and do not understand on a day to day basis. I would suggest you maintain this in an online platform rather than desktop so that you can access your notes from anywhere. Some digital platforms I have used in the past are Google Docs, Evernote, OneNote to name a few.

Your note taking should be categorized such that you can revisit, re-read and brush up on concepts whenever required. You will be able to prepare for a meeting or resolve problem faster than ever before using this technique. I have used this technique myself and I always was the go to person for any information that might be required by the team and/or clients.

Do not pressurize your brain to remember it all. You are only setting yourself up to fail. This might sound like you are back at university but the benefit of being on the job is that you can refer your notes and get back with an answer. Use that to your advantage and make notes.

Pro-Tip:

Schedule a meeting with your senior or subject matter expert within the team once a week or daily for 15 mins so that you can ask them all the doubts you have gathered. Make notes of the explanations you have received. This will help you in developing a database of information that will go a long way in understanding the day to day operations of your organization.

2. Come Prepared:

Review the agenda ahead of time, and come prepared with any materials or information that may be needed for the meeting (refer your notes). This shows that you are invested in the meeting and committed to its success. Do not hesitate to clarify the agenda with the organizer if you have any doubts. The point of conducting meetings is for all attendees to participate and influence the outcome of the meeting positively.

3. Listen Actively:

Active listening is a critical element of effective communication. Listen carefully to what others are saying, and ask questions or paraphrase their points to demonstrate that you understand what they are saying.

If you want to know about active listening and how to develop this skill then do check out my blog on Top 10 Tips to Develop Active Listening Skill.

4. Share Your Ideas:

Don't be afraid to share your ideas and opinions during the meeting. Your ideas may spark new insights or solutions, and can help to move the discussion forward.

I have been in many meeting wherein the silliest sounding questions have lead to the most remarkable revelations in understanding of the issue or concern at hand.

"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever." - Mark Twain

5. Be Respectful:

Respect is a key element of effective communication. Be respectful of others' ideas and opinions, even if you don't agree with them. Avoid interrupting or talking over others, and stay focused on the topic at hand.

I have worked with people in US, UK and European region. We all come with varied accents and sometimes understanding one another becomes an issue. Do not lose patience. Talk slowly and enunciate. If you do not understand what someone else has said then you can ask them precise clarifying questions or ask them to elaborate and explain further so that you understand their concerns.

Throughout this process show empathy. For most of us, including Europeans, English isn't our first language. Being respectful towards each others shortcomings goes a long way in building stronger relationship.

6. Stay Engaged:

Stay engaged throughout the meeting by actively participating in the discussion. Ask questions, share your ideas, and contribute to the conversation. This not only helps to move the discussion forward, but also shows that you are invested in the meeting's success.

In conclusion, use note taking tools to build a database you can access to sharpen your skills, prepare for meetings, perform active listening, share your ideas, be respectful and stay engaged while participating in meetings.

By mastering the art of participating in meeting you will be able to steepen learning agility and leave a lasting impression in any meeting you attend. Try implementing these tips in your upcoming meetings and see the difference it makes. Share your experience on what worked for you in the comments below. I would like to know if there are other tips or advice you have tried that have worked for you. Let's build a community of shared growth and learning.