Tips for Building Meeting Presence

How to speak up when it feels safer not to. 10 ways to challenge with respect. You’ve been in this meeting. A senior team gathers to discuss a big decision. Someone says something that doesn’t sit right. Everyone notices. Everyone hesitates. And then... silence. Because speaking up feels risky. But staying silent? That costs even more. After decades in these rooms, here’s what I’ve learned: 1) If you don’t speak up, people assume you agree. → Silence doesn’t protect you—it defines you. → Say: “I see it differently—can I explain why?” 2) Being first is uncomfortable. → But it opens the door for others to follow. → Ask: “Is anyone else thinking about it differently?” 3) You teach people how to treat you. → Every “sure” tells them their idea is fine. → Try: “I don’t love that direction—here’s why.” 4) Disagreeing isn’t disrespectful. → Tone matters more than opinion. → Say: “Would it be okay if I offered a pushback?” 5) Fake harmony blocks real solutions. → If no one disagrees, nothing gets better. → Try: “I wonder what we’re not saying yet?” 6) Credibility builds real influence. → People listen to who earns their respect. → Build it by asking smart questions. 7) Silence sends a message, even if you didn’t mean to. → People assume you're on board. → Say: “I have another take -- can I share it?” 8) You don’t need everyone to agree. → But you do need to speak clearly. → Say what you mean in one sentence, then pause. 9) You don’t need a title to lead. → Trust is built by what you do, not what you have. → Be the steady voice people rely on when it counts. 10) People remember who spoke when they couldn’t. → Your voice might be the one they needed. → That’s leadership. 💬 If you don’t say it, no one will. ✅ Speak with purpose. ✅ Challenge with respect. ✅ Lead with credibility, not just a title. You don’t have to take over the room. You just have to move it forward. What’s one phrase or approach you use to challenge with respect? Please share 👇 ______________________ ♻ Repost to remind someone that quiet isn’t always safe. 👉Follow Stephanie Eidelman (Meisel) for more ways to grow your visibility and influence at work. 📫 Subscribe to my free newsletter, The Career Edit, for tools to lead with confidence: https://hubs.la/Q03dY9_n0

How much space do you take up? Airtime in a meeting is not dissimilar to the middle arm rest. (Actual photo from my flight last night...grrrrr.) When we assume the space is ours to fill, we crowd everyone else out. ❓ Are you the first to speak, come off mute, insert your thoughts? ❓ Are you uncomfortable with silence and find that 2 seconds feels like 2 minutes when no one is speaking? ❓ Are you worried that if you don't share first, someone else will take your idea? Listen. I can relate. I'm a Di on the DiSC model which means I'm outspoken and operate at a fast pace. I'm comfortable thinking out loud. I LOATHE anything slow. But it's my job to get better. Tactics I use: 🤫 In an in-person meeting, try sitting on your hands as a physical reminder to hold back. 🤫 Write notes to yourself as ideas come up to avoid the feeling of losing them. Then share when the time is right. 🤫 In a virtual meeting, keep your hands OFF the keyboard to create space between yourself and the unmute button. 🤫 Try adding your ideas in chat rather than speaking them. 🤫 Go last and look for ways to amplify OTHERS ideas. This is one of the most rewarding, validating and team-oriented practices you can adopt. Whatever you do, don't be the guy (yes, I said it) who takes the armrest. #communication #teamdevelopment #disc #listeningskills #virtualmeetings #dominance #growthmindset

Save this checklist to avoid information dumps and instead motivate your audience to take action. ⬇️ Whether you're leading a team meeting or speaking at a conference, you want your audience to be focused and motivated. ✅ Simplify Your Message: Focus on key points that resonate. Cut unnecessary details. Can some info be shared via email or document? ✅ Highlight the Impact: Show benefits, not just data. Connect your insights to the audience's goals and obstacles. ✅ Engage Your Audience: Ask questions, invite participation. Keep it interactive and collaborative. ✅ Connect Emotionally: Use personal stories to make your message relatable and memorable. Emotional connections drive action. ✅ Clear Call to Action: Be specific about what you want your audience to do next. No ambiguity! You can transform your presentations from mere information dumps to powerful, engaging experiences that leave a lasting impact. Executive presence isn't just about what you know - it's about how you share that knowledge and inspire others to act. Hear more on this week's episode 397 of the Speaking Your Brand podcast.

Do you have trouble getting the entire team to participate in group discussions, brainstorming sessions, etc.? To get people talking in group settings, create a safe and inclusive atmosphere. Here's how: 1. Set Ground Rules: Make it clear that all opinions are valued and that it's a judgment-free zone. 2. Small Talk First: Warm up with light topics so folks get comfortable speaking. 3. Use Open-Ended Questions: Questions that can't be answered with just "yes" or "no" open up the floor for more detailed discussion. 4. Direct Invitations: Sometimes people just need a nudge. Call on them directly but offer an easy out like, "Feel free to pass." 5. Silent Moments: Pause and allow silence. This gives people time to gather their thoughts and often encourages quieter folks to chime in. 6. Positive Reinforcement: When someone does speak up, validate their contribution, even if it's just a simple "great point." 7. Anonymity: Use tools or methods that let people contribute anonymously. Then discuss the anonymous points as a group. 8. Break into Smaller Groups: Big settings can be intimidating. Smaller group discussions can make it easier for people to open up. 9. Rotate Roles: Give different team members the role of facilitator or note-taker in each meeting to encourage active participation. 10. Follow-Up: If someone doesn't speak up but you think they have valuable insights, follow up privately. They may be more comfortable sharing one-on-one. Remember, the goal is not to pressure people into speaking but to make it easier for them to do so if they wish. #leadership #teambuilding #communication

Have you ever been anxious about speaking up in meetings?  Maybe you’ve tried but your input is ignored or dismissed by more dominant voices. Or maybe you’re nervous to say something because you’re new, you’re junior, or you’re not accustomed to speaking up. And yet, there are many situations in which contributing to meetings is expected. It could impact your performance review, your grade, your reputation. Whatever the challenge or obstacle you face, it’s a skill that is critical for professional success. Here are a couple things you can do to meet the challenge: Be prepared. Being well-prepared can increase your confidence to contribute and enhance your credibility. Get out of your head and shift to a team mindset: Think of speaking up as a way to contribute to better team decision-making. Research on collective intelligence has shown that decision quality hinges on a group’s combined intelligence, not the smartest person.   Seize the moment when there’s a pause: Research on turn-taking indicates speakers often resume after a 0.5 second pause, assuming that’s long enough for others to respond. So jump in when there’s a break in the action.       To amp up your credibility: Mind your facial expressions: In some professional settings, a persistent smile can convey nervousness, naivete or insincerity. Share your winning smile at appropriate times. Permagrins are great at weddings; not so much in business meetings. Similarly, be mindful that your facial expression doesn’t give off vibes of disdain or contempt. (I once worked with a guy who always looked angry in meetings. You know, furrowed brows, downturned mouth. Whatever he said came off sounding angry. When I asked him if he was angry about something, he said no, with surprise. I told him his facial expression conveyed the opposite. He acknowledged that his wife had given him the same feedback.) Facial expressions say a lot, even when you’re not speaking.     Mind your body language and voice: Envision what confidence looks like and channel it. Sit up straight, make and hold eye contact. Speak with conviction and clarity. Avoid ending sentences as if they’re questions.   Implementing these practices may feel difficult or inauthentic at first. It will feel more natural with reps. Speaking up isn’t a matter of authenticity; it's about honing a critical professional skill and contributing to the group. If your goal is to influence and have impact, communication skills are key.  What practices have helped you get more comfortable speaking up? #CommunicationSkills #ProfessionalDevelopment

I’ve been helping leaders do better storytelling in workplace meetings for 12 years I come from a highly deferential culture (Indian) and I’m often working with women of color raised to respect authority. 2019, a pharma company about to be acquired by a much bigger one. Given its largely Asian population, I was brought in to teach a workshop on how speak up (and do it gracefully). Especially as folks stood to become small fish 'in a much bigger pond.' Here are 7 most common mistakes I noticed (+ how to fix them): 1/ 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 Plan 1:1 meetings with your boss to share  recent wins  priorities ask specific questions that you need his/her input on bring new ideas to the table Put awards and laurels in your email signature 2/ 𝐀𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐄𝐲𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 Practice training your eye on your audience for 5-7 seconds. Look away. Try it in low stakes environments, like standing in line at Trader Joe’s and chatting with the person behind or in front of you. 3/ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Fix: Prepare your points ahead of time and practice assertive communication. Use phrases like "In my experience" or "From my perspective" to share your views confidently. 4/ 𝐓𝐨𝐨 𝐌𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 Download the “The Just Not Sorry Google Chrome Extension for email. It builds self awareness around both written and oral words that undermine your authority. Save apologies for genuine mistakes. Skip words like “for example, very or really.” 5/ 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐦 Get your idea out there. Again, practice in low stakes environment first to flex that muscle. Be clear. Be direct. Keep bullet points handy and prepared ahead of time so you don’t miss key points. 6/ 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 Fix: Introduce diversity of thought with scripts like this: "I realize this might be a bit controversial and different from what we’re accustomed to...“ "I know this might be a departure from our usual approach, and it may seem a bit controversial at first...." "I’d like to discuss an idea that might be a bit unconventional, but I believe it has the potential to significantly benefit our project...." 7/ 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬 & 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 Fix: Address challenges and risks openly. Present them as opportunities for improvement and learning. Come to the table with the problem ---and a potential solution. _______________ "When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you." — Lao Tzu (Tao Te Ching) In tomorrow’s newsletter, I’ll break down how I helped my Pharma client and its Asian American Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group become better advocates for themselves in that exact workshop Subscribe here. https://lnkd.in/gk_MAUrh

I typically post about security, compliance, and risk nerd stuff. This post is different for me. ….. I just dropped from a meeting and thought… …please don’t forget about us introverts in meetings… Here’s a few things that may help drive overall meeting engagement. -> As an introvert, I like to have time to think about topics and form my thoughts - so sending out the agenda beforehand helps me. -> Whenever possible, think about breaking into smaller discussion groups or pairs. This environment helps me feel more comfortable to share my thoughts and ideas. -> Instead of yes/no questions, perhaps framing questions in a way to elicit more detailed responses would improve engagement. For example, ask - "What are your thoughts on this?" rather than "Do you agree?" -> Maybe give folks a heads up like - "I'd love to hear your thoughts on this in a few minutes," so we can prepare. -> As a facilitator, try to recognize when the same people are dominating the conversation. Remember to make a conscious effort to solicit opinions from those who haven’t spoken. -> Address interruptions and ensure that everyone has an opportunity to speak without being talked over. -> After some meetings, think about approaching introverts individually and ask for their thoughts or feedback. And remember - just because we’re not speaking doesn’t mean we’re not engaged. We all have unique communication styles. Remember that diversity in thought and approach is a strength, and creating a space where all feel comfortable leads to richer discussions and better outcomes. PS: Awareness that English is not everybody’s primary language is important too. What tips do you have for improving engagement in meetings? #introvert #meetings #inclusion #leadership

Quick Facilitation Tip: Start your virtual group meetings with a moment for everyone to unmute and greet each other. Yep - invite all 15, 30, 80 people to unmute for a moment and say "hi." Why: - This is relatively rare, so it will feel surprising (and engaging). - It primes the group for interactivity, and makes it more likely that they will vocalize (i.e., speak) later. - You will pull attention into the room (and away from email) because your participants are invited to DO something. Logistics note: If the group is large, be ready to "Mute all" after the group hello. If the group is small, encourage them to stay unmuted if their space allows. Caution: Don't do this technique and then dominate the mic for the duration of the meeting. It counteracts your attempt to make it feel more inclusive and interactive.

Facilitate your next presentation instead of simply presenting. In every presentation you do consider how to involve others. Without participation you will simply have spectators quietly judging you and your content. With facilitation you will have fellow participants engaged. Nora Dunn from Saturday Night Live in the 80s told my class of actors, “Your job is not to please the audience, your job is to engage the audience.” (And it is in the engagement that they will be pleased.) You cannot engage if you only talk, no matter how good you are. The audience, especially today’s audience, has far more wisdom than we do. Let them talk to one another and learn with them. Pro tip: Never say,” Turn to the person next to you”. Instead get them moving with “When I give you the signal I want you to get up find two other people who are not at your table and go and sit with them to form a group of three AWAY from the tables (you will have to enforce this). Then tell them what to discuss for 5-8 minutes (not too long or they will start talking about sports and their kids) then ask, “What did you just LEARN from your group?” (rather than “What did you just talk about?”) and then wait in silence. When they start talking you have engagement. #Facilitator #Facilitating #Facilitation #FacilitationSkills

Many early-career women I spoke with said they are often in meetings where they don’t speak up, but have something to contribute. This is a waste of their talent and fuels a culture of disengagement. If you want to speak up, here are some tips:  🎤 Prepare. Identify 2-3 things in advance of the meeting that you want to contribute. 🎤 Create an ally. Let the meeting owner know in advance you are eager for the upcoming discussion and have some things to share. 🎤 Speak early. Don’t wait until the end of the meeting when everyone is wrapping up. 🎤 Build on ideas. Find an entry point by saying, “Yes, AND…..” – add your point of view. 🎤 Find the transition. Before the discussion moves to the next agenda item, use a transition such as, “Before we conclude on this topic, I’d like to add…..”   If you are the meeting leader: 👉 Set expectations. Provide an agenda in advance and let participants know you’d like to hear from everyone.  👉Build trust. Show appreciation for engagement, ideas, and diverse perspectives. 👉Ask open-ended questions. This invites more safety, openness, and problem-solving. 👉Manage the over-talkers. Ensure the extroverts don’t get all the air time. 👉Leaders speak last. Invite junior members to speak FIRST, allowing them to grow, be seen, and surface fresh perspectives. (This is a GREAT way to develop talent!)   What would you add? #empoweringwomen #careeradviceforwomen #bettermeetings