This is [still] about managing perceptions during meetings. [Kind of like mind control but less creepy.]
You see, the world is divided between The Doers and The Talkers. And both types make the world go around. But it the rewards seem to skew more to The Talkers. Mixonian exists to teach little tiny mind tricks and sleights of hand to The Doers so they get more of their fair share of the rewards. Make sense?
Part 1 was about the right mindset. It’s having a clear idea of what you want out of any meeting before you enter. That clarity uncorks your energy and comes across as badass confidence…without your saying a peep. Nice.
You can read Part 1 HERE.
Having your mind clear is the main thing. But wait, there’s more! There are other itsy bitsy details you can leverage in any conference room: see 8 ADDITIONAL proven tactics to own the conference room:
1. Arrive on time. Not late. Not early, unless you are presenting. Then you can arrive in time to get your presentation set up, if the room is available.
If you have to arrive late, don’t rush in, don’t rush at all. Just walk in. Own it
2. Do your homework, silly. Know what you need to know to contribute meaningfully. If you’re presenting, make sure your message is tightly organized and use visuals ONLY if they move your message forward. No lists of text. Any text on slides should be minimum size of 30. If you feel the need for written back-up, email them notes after the meeting.
3. Sit as near as you can to the highest-ranking person, even if that’s not normally where you sit. If you can’t sit close to that person, sit where you can easily make eye contact. Proximity is power.
4. Say something! When people get off track, interrupt and ask how this relates to the topic on the agenda. If the discussion, by some miracle or discipline, sticks to the business at hand, then question when appropriate and likewise commend the good judgment of others.
Don’t try to dominate, but make sure you speak your mind from time to time. The fact that you are succinct and mostly quiet means people really tune in when you do speak. That is powerful!
[This is where you can show off that you did your homework. You can also write down things to say during the meeting as in tip #5.]
5. Take notes, even if they are notes to self, affirmations, or an outline of the movie script of your autobiography. That gives the impression that you are taking the meeting seriously. [Talkers love that.] The bonus is that taking notes helps you not to fall asleep.
6. Don’t be hateful, even when others are annoying. Stay serene. Channel Mr. Ghandi.
7. Follow up. Make contact in a meaningful way with top decision makers. Refer to this meeting’s outcomes. Thank specific people for specific contributions to the meeting. As if you were the partner or president
8. Upgrade your work uniform. Yes, Steve Jobs wore black turtlenecks every day. But it wasn’t just any shirt. They were actually designed specifically for Jobs by Japanese designer Issey Miyake, his friend. Remember his fascination with Japan?
You don’t need to wear couture, or black turtlenecks at all. But upgrading your work uniform makes you feel differently, because you know you’re wearing quality, even if your work buddies aren’t perceptive enough to notice the difference.
[For men, the top current fashion blogs are FashionBeans, Dappered and Effortlessgent. The Office Fashionista, WorkChic and Rachel Zoe are good sources of working world fashion. If you live in Charleston or are visiting, you need to shop at MOSA for men’s and women’s clothes. They serve beer and mimosas.]
But even with your 5-year-old fading gray pants from Gap and your frayed Old Navy shirt, now you know the dealio to manage perceptions in that conference room. Pick out a tactic and assume it at the next meeting. Just own it.
Laura Mixon Camacho, PhD, is ridiculously obsessed with communication as a tool for building bridges and careers. She believes all conversations should be carried out with style and enthusiasm. And a presentation is just a special sort of conversation. Laura facilitates interactive, fun communication workshops and she does private one-to-one coaching. She is the go-to coach if you want to improve your communication skills so that you can move your business or career forward with more confidence, more impact and less stress. Read more at www.mixonian.com.
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