Plan Your Words, Take Credit for Ideas
by Connie Glaser
Best-selling author and keynote speaker Connie
Glaser is one of the country's leading experts on gender communication and women
in leadership . Exploring communication differences
between men and women, Connie offers corporate seminars on effective communications
and overcoming barriers to leadership.
We often view meetings as a chance to take mental time off and daydream about
a Hawaiian vacation, but meetings can be a place to hone your communication
skills and gain credibility.
Most people come to meetings as spectators and haven’t thought much
about making a contribution. If you plan ahead with some well thought-out remarks,
you’re way ahead of the curve and will gain recognition from others.
How?
-- Take advantage of every opportunity to make a powerful impression by preparing
specific and detailed ideas for important agenda items that interest you. If,
for example, you notice “improving customer service” will be discussed,
go to the meeting with a four-point plan. Since most other participants will
either not speak up or “wing it,” you'll stand out.
-- If you plan to pitch an idea, test the waters before the meeting. Approach
some key decision makers one-on-one to see if they’ll lend support to
your idea. If not, consider tabling the issue until you have the support you
need to ensure your motion is passed.
-- Take credit for your ideas. What often happens at meetings is that one
person’s idea quickly becomes the “group’s” idea. Or,
frequently with women, someone else takes credit for their ideas -- generally
a male. How can you make sure you get noticed for your input?
Jane Trahey offers an excellent suggestion in her book, Women and Power. Whenever
you go to a meeting with a new proposal or idea, summarize it in outline form
on paper and put your name at the top of the page. Make enough copies to distribute
to everyone at the meeting, and lay them face down in front of you. Pitch the
idea, and if it bombs, leave the papers where they are. If, however, your idea
goes over well, pass them out, saying, “I’ve got the key point
in writing. Let’s build on this.”
-- If you are reluctant – as many women are – to disagree with
others’ views for fear that you will appear overly aggressive, try this
strategy, Say, “Let me play devil’s advocate for a minute,” then
state your opposing view.
-- Go the extra mile. Plan for conflict. “It might not be enough to
prepare a strong case supporting your position,” explains Michael Thomsett,
author of The Little Black Book of Business Meetings. “If you are familiar
with the issues, then you already know the opposing viewpoint. Don’t
simply build a case for your side; also address the arguments you know the
other side will raise.” And be prepared to compromise or back down gracefully
if the majority disagrees.
Have a voice of authority at the table. Think about what you’d like
your contributions to be and how you’d like to be perceived by others.
How can you use the meeting to gain credibility within the organization? Plan
your words in advance but be able to deliver them in extemporaneously.
When others assume you’re improvising, but you’ve really done
your due diligence, you’ll dazzle!
