Manners During a Meeting (No Napping and Other Basic Rules)
Let us remember the following manners when attending a meeting.
- Turn off the mobile phone or smartphone or put it into manner mode.
During a meeting or when conducting business with a client, it is a manner to put mobile/smart phones to silent or manner mode. Set up your mobile phone properly in order for it not to ring during the meeting.
- Do not take a nap
Although sometimes we may not intend to nap during the meeting, there are some times that we cannot notice that we are slowly dozing off. Actually, napping during a meeting is very noticeable to people around us. Let us be careful not to sleep during a meeting since there are many times when we cannot restrain ourselves especially when we are sleepy.
- Do not rest your chin on your hand or shake your leg! Listen with proper behavior
The people attending the meeting are not your friends, but the people you have a working relationship with. Thus, it is important to be careful on how we carry ourselves when listening. Some people have personal habits such as resting your chin on your hand, shaking one leg, crossing arms/legs, touching hair, and others. When someone is tired, resting your chin on a hand commonly happens. This usually happens when it is tiring to stretch one’s back so it is easier to look at the speaker from the resting chin angle. Be careful of this behavior.
- Be active and help set up the equipment for the meeting
In preparation for a meeting, there are many things to do beforehand. Some of these preparations are setting up the tables, chairs, and preparing the documents needed.
After the meeting, let us also actively help in cleaning up the equipment as before. Return the equipment or furniture to their original place.
- Balance between taking notes and listening
Be sure to take notes about information that are likely to be important points in the meeting, such as the number of attendees or the figure presented. Taking notes makes it possible to express opinions correctly when asked to speak during the meeting. When done properly, the meeting organizer and members will have a good impression of the newly hired employee as participative.
Remember these manners and try to attend a meeting. If these manners are not done, it will lead to a bad impression from the other members and it will be difficult to produce a good outcome. There is no need to be extra mindful of these manners during the meeting, but it is helpful to know at least the minimum rules that you can understand.
