Meetings are where colleagues share time, the way guests share a table. The courtesies of an interview, being on time, listening and following through, carry straight into them.
Key idea
Be on time, come prepared, let others finish, keep to the topic, credit others' ideas, and follow up on what you promised.
Why it works
A meeting costs every person in the room the same hour, so lateness and wandering talk waste many hours at once. Letting people finish lets the best ideas come out, not just the loudest. Crediting a colleague's idea is both honest and generous: it builds the kind of trust that makes people share ideas with you. Following up shows that your word means something.
Worked example: Interrupted
Priya is explaining a plan when Kofi breaks in with his own idea. What would have been better?
- Let her finish; jot the idea down.
- When she pauses, say, "Can I add something?"
Answer: Wait for a pause, then ask to add.
Worked example: Giving credit
In a meeting, Sam builds on an idea Ruby raised last week. How can he say it?
- He names her: "Ruby suggested last week that we survey customers. I'd like to build on that."
- That is honest and builds trust.
Answer: Name Ruby's idea first, then add his own.
Common mistake
Interrupting to be seen as sharp, or repeating a colleague's idea as your own. Giving credit builds trust that lasts. Quick check: whose idea was this first? Say their name.