At Universal Events, we’re familiar with the challenge of making your voice heard in meetings. We’re a strong-willed group, and our meetings sometimes feature interruptions and people speaking over each other. We’d like to offer you a few suggestions for ensuring that your opinion is heard and valued during meetings.
• Shut Down Interrupters:
There are a few key phrases that can help you do this, including “Please let me finish” and “I just said that.” You have to be willing to speak up if you feel that your opinion is being trampled, and you might have to do the same if someone else is being interrupted.
• Reach Out Before the Meeting:
After you receive a reminder about the meeting through email, reply to all in order to let your colleagues know that you have some ideas to share. If they’re prepared to hear what you have to say, we at Universal Events feel that your peers will be less likely to interrupt you.
• Shorten Your Statements:
Being concise is a good strategy for holding others’ attention and getting your point across more effectively. Also, be sure to make strong eye contact with the people you’re addressing. These steps will combine to form a much more compelling argument. Our team at Universal Events recommends these strategies for getting your voice heard during business meetings. We wish you luck in making your opinions known.
