How To Create an Unforgettable Impact During Meetings

What’s the focus of your meetings?

Credit: Author

Meetings were always highly stressful for me, especially when dealing with a difficult decision and needing other people’s buy-in.

I worried about being unprepared, uncharming, and not knowing what to say when someone asked me a question. So, I was over-prepared, tried to appear likable, and didn’t give others an opportunity to ask questions.

But instead of acceptance, I got resistance. The harder I tried to win others, the more they rejected my ideas and pushed back on my decisions.

My intentions weren’t wrong. I wanted others to believe me, see my ideas through, and vouch for them. But none of my efforts left a good impression. I was trying to make my meetings impactful by following a faulty process. I was focusing on myself instead of focusing on the process.

Once I started paying attention to my process, I discovered four key areas that made my meetings less stressful and more impactful. Others not only invested in my ideas, but I also got a ton of positive feedback on the effectiveness of my meetings.

These practices are simple yet powerful. They don’t demand a lot of work or preparation, only presence. Paying attention to the participants in the meeting, trying to…