Workplace manners: Meeting etiquettes

You can train someone to do so much but you cannot change who they are.

So you want to be respected and appreciated in the workplace?

Well this is going to require more from you than your coworkers or management team...

Have you ever heard the saying, 'early bird gets the worm'?

Well I am a firm believer that one of these items is being on time. And this doesn't mean trailing in AT 1 o'clock for your meeting but maybe being ready to go at 12:55 with all you need, your body in the chair to not be the talk of the first few minutes of the meeting, and having already grabbed your afternoon cup of joe or used the restroom.

Look this was HARD for me. You can ask anyone who knows me, I was that person. If not actually late and while I had my reasons (or excuses) at the time, I found the importance in it through my actions and the perceptions being formed of me.

While I may have never meant disrespect by any of it, it could have come off that way. But most importantly I feel like it was my time-management skills that needed the work. Respecting everyone's time will only help you in the future and have them respect yours. If they know you to always be late, they are going to be least likely to give the courtesies I mentioned above. Why bother with someone who will not be on time anyways. 'Get what you give' type scenario. Hence, respecting you less.

Now here are some things you can do to help with both respect and your time-management.

1. Show up a little early. (set an outlook reminder to yourself with 5 minute warning i.e. head to conference room, or in your phone calendar if they are not linked and you are running around at times through the day).

2. Do not get up during the meeting, lunch or whatever it may be. This means use the restroom, have a drink with you and bring a notepad. Handle all these things BEFORE the meeting.

3. Listen, THEN ask questions. This is where that notepad comes in handy. Jot down a few words to help you remember your question, especially if it is a presentation because they may answer it later on. Let them have their moment.

4. Be aware of your body language. (This is what people read 80% of the time, only 20% is your words or how you say it!)

5. Positive words goes a long way. Should you disagree with anything, make your point and direct it at this point not the person. Be assertive, not aggressive. I went to a leadership seminar recently that gave some good pointers that I will share on the next post.

So bottom line,

if you want their respect, give it.

#careertips

Much Success,

Corynn LeeAnn