This is the arena where most bright people shoot themselves in the foot. The caliber of your work, your ability and past performance mean nothing in the conference room.

This is the arena where most bright people shoot themselves in the foot. The caliber of your work, your ability and past performance mean nothing in the conference room. You better look awake, be dressed for the next position you want to attain and be a contributor, not a contestant!

The Conference or Planning Session is one of the few places where you may act as an equal in the organization provided you respect etiquette. However, you can also be sure that your performance in this setting is being judged at all times. Although there are others, the following scenario and similar variations is one of the primary tactics you must learn to be successful in this environment.

The Big Idea

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You are in a high-level business meeting. You are not the most powerful person in the room, possibly far from it. A person senior to you has just made a proposal or suggested a solution that you know is wrong. What should you do?

•    Do not

o    Show negative emotion
o    Shuffle in your seat
o    Make a face
o    Grown, smile or laugh
o    Move back for the table
o    And never say you disagree

Remember, You are a Team Player and always make sure that is the impression you give. In business as in everything else “perception is reality”. Never forget it. Your position is that you are acutely interested in and value everyone’s opinion and suggestions.

•    How do you disagree and present your idea?

o    Sit up straight
o    Briefly face the last speaker and gesture to him or her
o    Say, name of person has a very good point, suggestion or whatever
o    Now look around the table at everyone as you say clearly
o    I would like to expand on name of person suggestion if I may
o    Couch you idea as an extension of what was said with little reference to what was actually said before

•    The business/social advantage of this tactic is:

o    You have not created a confrontational situation
o    Your opposition is not direct and probably not even observed
o    You have not pointed out fault
o    You have not caused him or her to loose face in the group
o    You have associated him or her with your great idea
o    This person will actually support your position going forward in the meeting
o    If your idea is also dumb it will not be attributed directly to you

Read it, learn it and remember it. Before long you will be the senior person in the room!

Related Links: The Big Presentation  Facing East For Business – Japan   The Business Dinner