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Photo credit Looking at your calendar and seeing nothing but a series of back-to-back meetings can spark a mix of reactions, including dread, frustration, or the urge to reach for another cup of coffee. The average professional spends between 35% and 50% of their workday in meetings. Many people look for ways to avoid them if they can. 30% of employees admit they've skipped a meeting, assuming AI would cover for them, according to a study by Software Finder. Yet, meetings are where work happens. They’re where ideas are born, problems are solved, and visibility is earned. To boost your career, don’t think of meetings as an interruption to your work; treat them as an essential part of your work. To Maximize Meetings, Shift Your Mindset When you change your approach meetings, you shift how others perceive you and your leadership potential. Every meeting can be your stage for influencing others. How you show up determines whether people see you as prepared, professional, and promotable. High performers see meetings as opportunities to share their expertise, build relationships, and bolster their personal brand. Meetings are a valuable forum for being visible in front of stakeholders and demonstrating your value. Whether you’re meeting with your boss, your team, or a client, the same principle applies. Commit to looking and sounding smart, and you’ll stand out. The Three Ps Of Looking Smart In Meetings To look smart in meetings, think of the Three Ps: Be Prepared, Be Punctual, and Be Propitious. Focus on the three-steps of impactful meetings. Be Prepared Preparation is the single greatest differentiator between professionals who thrive in meetings and those whose presence is ignored. Review the agenda before you walk in. Read the materials. Know who will be there. Think about what unique contribution you can make. Determine your personal goals for the meeting and create a plan to achieve those goals. Before every meeting, take a moment to answer these three questions (the Me Three): What value can I/do I want to add? What impression do I want to leave? What outcome do I want to influence? This short reflection helps you show up purposefully. Do this consistently so people start to see you as the team member who consistently adds value. Be Punctual MORE FOR YOU Showing up on time goes beyond being courteous. It’s a signal of respect and integrity. Arriving late sends a message that your time is more important than everyone else’s. Being early is even better. It allows you to settle in and connect with colleagues. Leaders notice those who are ready and engaged when the meeting starts. Be Propitious When it comes to meetings, being propitious means being positive about the meeting and its outcome. It’s about creating a positive environment that fosters connection and achievement. Greet others warmly. Focus on what’s possible instead of what’s wrong. Stay engaged, even when topics drift or decisions drag. Maintaining focus and positivity is contagious. And it’s one of the most powerful examples of leadership presence. Avoid common meeting faux pas, like checking your phone, slouching, multitasking, or letting negativity creep in. How you look during meetings speaks as loudly as what you say. Practice The Six Be’s Of Sounding Smart In Meetings Looking smart gets you noticed. Sounding smart gets you remembered. It’s time to upgrade your meetings. To sound smart, adopt these six habits: 1. Be Curious If you don’t know what to say in a meeting, ask a great question. Curiosity always trumps is better than silence, and insightful questions make you look thoughtful, not uncertain. Ask questions that deepen understanding: Is this the most important problem to focus on? What’s the cause? Have we looked at alternatives? What’s the downside of this solution? Smart questions demonstrate that you think strategically and aren’t just focused on your specific topic. You’re focused on driving the conversation toward clarity and solutions. 2. Be Focused Meetings can easily wander off course. Take on the unofficial role of focus-keeper. Gently bring the discussion back to the topic. Summarize key points. Keep an eye on the clock. Doing this positions you as someone who values productivity. 3. Be Resourceful One of the best ways to sound smart is to connect ideas. Reference credible sources: I was reading in Fast Company about… Seth Godin often says… I spoke with a marketing director at Google who shared… Bring external insights into the conversation elevate the discussion and positions you as someone who is connected and future-focused. Authenticity is more compelling than jargon. Avoid business speak. Overused buzzwords make you sound generic, not genuine. It resembles how people speak to each other in the sitcom The Office. Use plain language to make your point clearly and simply. Replace utilize with use, in order that with so, and in the event of with if. The simpler your words, the stronger your message. And eliminate one word entirely: like. It’s a small word that can make you sound unsure. It makes you sound like you’re a 1980s valley girl. Remove it from your vocabulary and you’ll instantly sound more confident and credible. 5. Be Professional Being professional doesn’t mean being formal or uptight. It’s about showing respect for others’ ideas, keeping commitments, and maintaining composure even when the conversation gets heated. It means listening actively and acknowledging others’ contributions before making your own. Professionalism builds trust, and that amplifies your influence. This is where your personal brand shines. Your personality, values, and passions make you memorable. Integrate them into your communication. If you love theatre, quote Molière. If you’re analytical, use data and frameworks to make your case. If humor is a key part of your brand, sprinkle it in. Authenticity is the key to getting noticed. Use your superpowers (the qualities that make you distinctly you) to enhance the meeting. Maybe you’re naturally organized, or you think strategically, or you’re the one who always connects people and ideas. Amplify that. And if you have a signature phrase or expression that captures your personality, use it. That’s branding, and it makes you recognizable. Leave Your Mark On Meetings Every meeting offers a chance to create impact. Rather than dominating the conversation, contribute meaningfully and appropriately, listen actively, and follow up thoughtfully. Meetings are powerful personal branding moments. They connect you with colleagues, clients, and leaders. They give you visibility. They let you demonstrate your expertise and professionalism. Before your next meeting, take a deep breath, review your Me Three, and remember the Six Be’s. With a few intentional actions, you can transform every meeting from a boring time sink into a career-building opportunity.’ William Arrudais a keynote speaker, author, and personal-branding pioneer. He speaks on branding, leadership, and virtual presentation mastery. Join his free online session, Deliver Captivating Meetings & Presentations. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions
