Meetings are a crucial part of professional communication, but certain phrases can hinder their effectiveness. Let's delve into the common phrases that are best avoided in meetings, and explore better alternatives to enhance our communication skills.
Some New Year’s resolutions are more attainable than others
Even at a time when so much is beyond our control, we remain in control of our own speech patterns
- And so, as leaders and employees continue to rethink what the modern workplace should look like, including how we gather, perhaps it’s an opportune moment to banish certain phrases from the “meeting-speak” lexicon
We’re building the plane while flying it
What is the speaker actually saying about the initiative being described?
- Is it flying at so quick a speed that we can’t be expected to understand or question its flaws
- If not, perhaps we can be more specific by identifying the pieces of the project that we’ve figured out, what we’re still working on, and what we don’t know yet, and how we plan to make adjustments based on what we learn
Don’t dismiss someone’s idea and put them off indefinitely
Make sure to mention when the next meeting will be, and give a clear, quick mention of how and when the follow-up will be
- This will make it easier to follow up and avoid making the meeting unproductive
Make the most of those inevitable few minutes when you’re waiting for stragglers to join
Begin with brief tone-setting exercises
- Remove one distraction
- Write down your intention or objective for the meeting
- Practice thinking about one’s objectives before the meeting begins
I’m going to give you 10 minutes of your life back
This simple rephrasing has the power to reframe your work
- “Wow. Because everyone was so productive, we’re done 10 minutes early.” Thank you so much for your presence and participation. Have a great day.”
You’re on mute
“You’re on mute.”
- These words quickly signal that a speaker needs to click the unmute button.
- It also makes the person on the receiving end of the comment feel silly, as though they still don’t know how to locate the button with the microphone icon.
- Try saying, “If you’re speaking, I can’t hear you.”
