Meetings are a prime opportunity to demonstrate your expertise, show how you work as part of a team and exhibit skills that put the spotlight on your leadership potential. For your manager and other decision makers in the meeting, it’s an opportunity to identify emerging leaders—those who have the potential to inspire teams and operate in a bigger, more impactful way in the organization.
If you’re pursuing leadership roles and seek to be seen as a leader, demonstrate these behaviors:
1. Show up on time.
When you arrive on time—or even a few minutes early—you show that you are taking the meeting seriously and that you respect the time of fellow participants. It also shows that you’re not afraid of the sometimes awkward small talk that takes place while people wait for the meeting to start; in fact, you can use those minutes to network with ease. Although you might think showing up late tells participants that you are busy and working extra hard, it actually says, “I really don’t care.”
2. Look the part.
If your camera is pointing at the ceiling, you look like a shadow of yourself because the light is coming from behind you or your background is a kitchen counter with a stack of dirty plates, you’ve instantly lost credibility. And when your meetings are face to face, don’t show up looking disheveled or wearing clothes that could do double duty as pajamas.
3. Speak up when your opinion differs from the consensus.
This is bigger than making a contribution; it’s about being able to zag while everyone else is zigging. According Harvard Business Review, “It’s a natural human tendency to hold back ideas and shy away from disagreeing. The act of not speaking up with an important work-relevant idea is not visible.” Have the courage to disagree respectfully, with good reasons and good research to back up your point of view.
4. Steer clear of gossip or dissing others.
In a recent article in Fast Company, assessment researcher Dr. Robert Hogan is cited as asserting that “integrity is at the top of our list when we intuitively evaluate someone’s leadership potential … though we hardly need scientific research to tell us that leaders with integrity inspire trust and loyalty, and positively impact team dynamics, collaboration and overall organizational success.” Talking badly of others, or even rolling your eyes, is evidence that you’re susceptible to negative banter.
5. Accept feedback graciously.
Adopt the mindset that all feedback delivered with positive intent is valuable, even if the feedback itself is not positive. Feedback can give you the insights you need to tweak your behaviors and mindsets so that they that will help you advance your career.
6. Shut down distracting interruptions.
We feel for you when someone interrupts your flow while you’re speaking in a meeting, but how you handle that interaction says a lot about your leadership prowess. The interrupter may not do much positive personal branding, but they do look like a leader, according to the American Psychological Association. Your opportunity to be seen as a leader comes from how you handle the situation. Harrison Monarth suggests that you “acknowledge your interrupter. Tell them you hear them, but make sure you finish your point. Once you’re done, address the interrupter and ask them to share their thoughts.”
7. Stay engaged in the entire meeting.
When you do, you’re letting participants know that you truly care about the project at hand at a higher level than just your specific role. You show people that you respect them and are interested in what they have to say. Resist the temptation to tune out when your contribution is over.
8. Become the acknowledger in chief.
Dole out acknowledgement, kudos and appreciation. Leaders know that genuine expressions of appreciation have a big impact on the recipients of that praise, especially when they’re bestowed in a public setting. Acknowledging others for their contributions to the meeting shows you know how to reward a job well done while exercising the greatest leadership trait of all: humility.
William Arruda is a keynote speaker, co-founder of CareerBlast.TV and co-creator of BrandBoost – a virtual, video-fueled course to help you grow your self-awareness and amp up your personal brand.
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