Speaking up in meetings is difficult enough – especially when it’s not in your native language, right?
But it’s even more of a challenge when people are in different locations.
When should you speak? Will others listen? What do they think of you?
Conference calls: increasingly common for business communication.
Bringing butterflies to bellies across the globe.
I’ve frequently felt that fluttering and hesitated to speak. Calls would finish before I could summon the courage to say a word.
But over the two decades of my corporate career, I worked out ways to feel more confident on conference calls. Now I make the most of conference calls to connect and collaborate with colleagues around the world for the betterment of our businesses.
The first tip that has helped me be more confident? Dialing in early.
Three Reasons to Dial In Early on Conference Calls
It allows time for tech trouble
Ever realized at the last minute that you didn’t have the right phone number or passcode? Ever dialed the wrong number or entered the wrong code and had to start again? Ever found yourself in a location with a weak signal, so that you couldn’t get the call to go through?
All these can cause stress and knock your confidence before you even start the call.
Give yourself time to deal with potential problems by noting the phone number and passcode in your calendar and dialing in early.
Use your time effectively by having something to work on while you wait for others to join.
You hear important info
Important information is often shared at the beginning of the call to set everyone up for success – especially if you have an effective facilitator. You miss this if you dial in late.
Dial in early to hear the important information. Then you’re better positioned to make relevant and timely comments. You can make a better contribution. That’s a great way to boost your confidence.
It’s respectful to your colleagues
Failing to join conference calls on time is disrespectful to your colleagues.
It wastes everyone’s time when the start is delayed or interrupted. Even more so when someone has to repeat what’s already been said solely for your benefit.
And it sends a signal that you consider something else more important than them.
Unfortunately, many business people habitually agree to back-to-back meetings and calls. If you finish one call at 2pm, how can you start the next at 2pm???
Instead of scheduling 30-minute or 1-hour calls, how about 25 or 50 minutes?
That way you can respect your colleagues’ time by being ready to start punctually. Your colleagues will respect you for respecting them. And up goes your confidence. Yay!
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In the next post, I’ll share two tips to help you speak confidently on conference calls.
Until then, if you’re looking for more tips to help you communicate with clarity and confidence in global business, subscribe to Sasuga! Tips For You. I’ll email you tried and tested communication tips and resources every Tuesday.
Thanks to TopTia for the fab photo.
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