There is nothing as daunting as a work meeting, but that does not mean that we have to drag our negative mood into the boardroom. The nature of work meetings is typically that of a serious nature, so it’s important that you keep a professional manner, and avoid saying anything that you might regret. Learn how to be professional from the list below.
1. Don’t Come Unprepared.
Being overly tired, hungry, sleepy, ill, or bored brings a potential problem to the board room. Instead, eat, rest, and plan well before the next meeting. If you don’t feel well, opt out rather than contaminate everyone with viral germs. Read suggested materials in advance and jot down questions or observations to share with the group.
2. Don’t Speak Out Of Turn.
Plan to speak up when you have something worthwhile to say that will keep things moving along, but otherwise keep quiet and maintain a respectful attitude. Raising your voice, needless debate, heckling, criticizing, complaining, gossiping, whispering, laughing, joking, and humming are sure-fire ways to bother other attendees and interrupt proceedings. .
3. Don’t Argue.
Disagreement is fine, but needless debate wastes everyone’s valuable time. After sharing your dissenting view, wait to see how others will respond. If things don’t go your way, contact the target person after the meeting to continue the discussion in friendly fashion.
4. Don’t Demonstrate Rude Body Language.
Sleeping, spinning your chair, leaving the room frequently for restroom breaks, getting up to pace or get several cups of coffee, and making physical gestures or disapproving facial expressions should be saved for another occasion.
5. Don’t Sit Silently.
Refusing to participate may earn you a label as someone who can’t get things done. Be ready to share a viewpoint or make a suggestion. Listen to others and take notes, if appropriate. Engage in the discussions in one way or another; otherwise, don’t bother to show up.
6. Don’t Get Lazy After The Meeting.
Abandoning the work done in the meeting or forgetting what you heard or learned is non-productive. Hold on to handouts and start thinking about how you will implement the session’s strategies. If you still have questions or uncertainties, contact the speaker or leader for clarity, or do your own research.
7. Don’t Talk About How Busy You Are.
Everyone is busy. By discussing how busy you are, it can at times come off as egotistical to your peers, and can also come off as complaining, in a sense. You don’t want to be the employee that gives off the impression that there is too much work on your plate, and that you can’t handle it mentally.
8. Avoid The Word ‘Can’t.
By stating that you or your team can’t do something, the confidence issue arises once again. With that said, saying that you can’t do something can be one of the most dangerous things that you can say in front of your peers, especially those that are in charge.
9. That’s Not My Job.
In any job, especially in a professional environment, certain tasks will sometimes arise that won’t always fit in with your daily routine. On that note, some of these tasks that will be handed to you won’t be ideal, but that’s the nature of the professional world. Avoid saying phrases like “that’s not my job” because it will give off the impression that you lack drive and responsibility.
10. I Did This With My Last Employer.
While this one is paraphrased a bit, and could be said in many different ways, it’s one that must be avoided in a business meeting. If a project is being discussed internally at your place of employment in a meeting, avoid comparing the task at hand to things that you’ve done in the past for other companies. Focus on the task at hand now, in the present.
