The 4 step framework to help you confidently contribute in a meeting
Have you ever been interrupted in a meeting before finishing your point?
Or rambled and rambled and not been able to get to your point?
Or made your point and no-one heard, but then someone else says EXACTLY THE SAME THING and all of a sudden it's the best idea raised?
As much as I would like to, I can't dickhead-proof meetings. I can, however, share with you a brilliant strategy to help you put your best voice forward in your next meeting.
This could be online or in-person, with your team or stakeholders, with colleagues or potential clients - any forum where you want your voice to be heard.
I call it the Baton Framework because it's like you're taking a relay baton from the person speaking before you, holding onto it and then passing it on. This original process helps you take a meaningful role in the meeting, keeping things clear and collaborative.
The 4-step Baton Framework to help you confidently contribute in a meeting.
Take the baton. Before you start with your content, you want to do the baton handover by acknowledging the person speaking before you. It can be as simple as saying “Thanks, Julie” or "To build on what Patrick was saying."
Set the rules. When you set your rules, there's a lot less chance you're going to ramble. You do this by saying an umbrella statement which includes a NUMBER. Eg. "There were lots of great options, the TWO I liked were ...," or "ONE story comes to mind," or "There are THREE main reasons we should do ..."
Obey the rules you set for yourself. If your rule was to make one point, share one point. If it’s three points, share three. This is where you remain on track and off the tangent train!
Hand the baton back. This is a statement that throws back to the group or the facilitator or the other person. If you're open to questions and discussion, you could say “how does that sit with you?” or “Does anyone have any thoughts on that?” If you don’t want questions, you could simply say, “I'll hand back to you, Julie.”
Try the Baton Framework in your next meeting and DM me to let me know how you go!
Keen to learn more? Listen to episode 117 of That Voice Podcast called - How to confidently contribute in a meeting: https://www.sallyprosser.com.au/thatvoicepodcast/117
Want me in your ear telling you exactly what you need to do before your next speaking gig? Get free access to Pep Talks in your Pocket: https://bit.ly/3KSk7h7
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