[Jobs] FW: [missouri-l] 10 Worst Things to Do in a Meeting

[Peter Altschul]

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor
Meetings have been hailed as the No. 1 time-waster in corporate 
America, and -- unless
food is served to offset the boredom -- the most tortuous part of the work
day.
Who among us hasn't cringed as the office windbag launched into a 
self-aggrandizing
discourse that was completely off-point? Pitied a meek co-worker who 
got trounced
by the office bully? Or marveled at a colleagues' ability to string 
together an array
of buzzwords that mean absolutely nothing?
Yet no matter how mind-numbing things get, don't be lulled into 
thinking that meetings
aren't important. The fact is, they can make -- or break -- your 
career. Here are
10 things you should never do in a meeting:
1. Show Up Late.
Nothing says "I'm disorganized" like walking into a meeting already 
in progress.
Arriving a few minutes early not only demonstrates that you respect 
your colleagues'
time, but guarantees you get a good seat as well.
2. Be Unprepared.
If you've been given an agenda or materials beforehand, read them. 
Think of any questions
you have or contributions you could make to the subjects being discussed.
3. Monopolize the Conversation.
When discussion ensues, it's protocol to let more senior figures 
contribute first.
Once they've said their piece, concisely make your points. Don't 
drone on -- or feel
compelled to speak at all if you don't have anything purposeful to 
say. As the old
adage goes, "Better to be thought a fool, than speak and remove all doubt."
4. Make Your Statements Sound Like Questions.
Phrasing your statements as questions invites others to say no, argue 
or take credit
for your ideas. Speak in declarative sentences, such as "Let's do 
more research on
that."
5. Misread Signals.
Try to gauge the needs and mood of those in the room. Listen 
carefully to what people
are saying to discern how receptive they might be to your ideas. You 
need to make
your message relevant to your audience. For example, if everyone is 
focused on cutting
costs, and you're angling for a system upgrade, you'll either want to 
stress how
the new software will save money -- or table your request for another day.
6. Get Intimidated.
Unfortunately, some of your co-workers may view meetings as a 
battleground and themselves
as verbal gladiators, sparring for the boss' favor. If you become the 
victim of a
put-down or accusation, calmly defend yourself. If you need to buy 
time to think,
do so with a question that will make your attacker accountable. For 
example: "Andrew,
when did you start thinking I don't care about our sales results?"
7. Chew Gum.
The smacking, popping, cracking and cow-like chewing are annoying. 
Plus, it's rude
and unprofessional. 'Nuff said.
8. Keep Your Cell Phone On.
You turn it off in restaurants and at the movies. Turn it off for 
your meeting. A
ringing phone interrupts the presenter and distracts the audience. 
And whatever you
do, never take a call in the middle of a meeting.
9. Wander Off Topic.
Don't hijack the agenda. Stay focused on what you and your team are 
trying to accomplish.
If you must digress into unrelated areas, make sure it's alright with 
the others
present. A good way to handle important issues not related to the 
topic at hand is
to record them on a flipchart and revisit them at an appropriate time.
10. Skip It.
Sure, you might get more done if you forgo a meeting to stay at your 
desk and do
your actual work. But if the meeting was called by someone higher up 
in the organization,
you'll miss an opportunity to make yourself known. Remember, in the 
end, meetings
aren't about productivity, they're about projecting a positive image 
and forming
and building relationships that are crucial to your success.
Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. 
She researches
and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring 
trends and workplace
issues.