Fixed for tomorrow
5 meeting survival techniques
Right now you're still on a terrace and ordering your second rosé, but tomorrow it's definitely on your agenda; that meeting you've been dreading for days. At 10:00 it starts, right? I can't promise that it will all be pleasant and that it will turn out to be great, but I can coach you a bit towards the best possible outcome. Let's go.
Be on time
And I mean really on time. Also make sure you've done your emails and other stuff so you're not rushing into that meeting room half-emailing and half-preparing. This meeting is important for you and you should radiate that.
Choose the best spot
Since you're neatly on time, you enter the room first. This way you can immediately choose a good spot. That's already very smart strategically. Not at the head, unless you're the boss. I would say; sit in the middle and choose the spot where you're in the light. Then you look your best (which is also not unimportant) and your face has a more sympathetic expression than when you get all shadows over your face. Call me superficial, but really; appearance is important. Even in work situations.
Print the agenda
Of course, we are digital and environmentally conscious so we print almost nothing anymore, but now I recommend it. It radiates overview and responsibility, it shows that you've read everything (at least, the chance is high if you've taken the effort to print it) and you have everything at hand in an overview without having to search through your computer and then getting distracted by incoming emails and such.
Make (illegible) notes
It's a good hook for yourself if you make your notes on your printouts and again, it shows that your preparation is in order and that you take everything seriously. Just make sure they can't read your notes, because if you want to make another point, the other person has already been able to prepare. I once interviewed Jeroen Pauw during my studies and had thought for days about a first question that would unsettle him. My sheet with questions was neatly next to me, but Jeroen could even decipher my question while sitting across from me, and so I was 2-0 behind while I had hoped to have been the boss for once.
Kleed je goed
Make sure your nails are neat (not too hysterical with glitter and frills, just neat business nails), your hair is not distracting, and that your outfit is clean (important!) and radiates overview. There are psychologists who advise wearing red, then you are even strongly present without words. I would look at what you feel best in. It shouldn't be too contrived, you have to stay yourself.
