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Confidence / Confidence at Work / Lesson 09
LESSON 09 · CONFIDENCE AT WORK

Prepare One Point Before Every Meeting

Thirty-two easy ways to prepare one point before every meeting, a five-minute habit that makes you sound sharp.

One good point beats ten vague ones. Prepare it and speak with ease.

40 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

40 tips that really help

These ideas come from Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg), The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman), Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss), and everyday practice. Pick one tip and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Prepare one point before every meeting
TIP 1

Prepare one point before every meeting

Walking into a meeting with one clear point changes how you feel and how you are seen. Spend two minutes before each meeting reading the agenda and writing one question or comment. It is the simplest confidence habit at work.

TRY THIS
Before your next meeting, write one point on a sticky note and bring it.
Photo for the tip: Read the agenda
TIP 2

Read the agenda

Two minutes.

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Do it.
Photo for the tip: Pick one item
TIP 3

Pick one item

That you care about.

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Choose.
Photo for the tip: Write one question
TIP 4

Write one question

Curious.

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Draft.
Photo for the tip: Write one suggestion
TIP 5

Write one suggestion

Constructive.

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Draft.
Photo for the tip: Write it on paper
TIP 6

Write it on paper

Bring it.

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Use a card.
Photo for the tip: Say it early
TIP 7

Say it early

First ten minutes.

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Plan.
Photo for the tip: Say it simply
TIP 8

Say it simply

One sentence.

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Trim.
Photo for the tip: Say it warmly
TIP 9

Say it warmly

Smile.

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Practise.
Photo for the tip: Say it clearly
TIP 10

Say it clearly

Pace.

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Slow down.
Photo for the tip: Link it to the goal
TIP 11

Link it to the goal

“This helps us reach X.”

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Add.
Photo for the tip: Link it to someone's point
TIP 12

Link it to someone's point

“Building on Sam’s idea…”

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Practise.
Photo for the tip: Have a backup point
TIP 13

Have a backup point

If yours is used.

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Prepare.
Photo for the tip: Share before if possible
TIP 14

Share before if possible

Email in advance.

TRY THIS
Send.
Photo for the tip: Ask the chair
TIP 15

Ask the chair

To add you.

TRY THIS
Request.
Photo for the tip: Avoid scripts
TIP 16

Avoid scripts

Notes only.

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Keep short.
Photo for the tip: Avoid over-preparing
TIP 17

Avoid over-preparing

One point is enough.

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Relax.
Photo for the tip: Avoid waiting until the end
TIP 18

Avoid waiting until the end

Time runs out.

TRY THIS
Speak early.
Photo for the tip: Avoid apologising
TIP 19

Avoid apologising

“Sorry, quick thing.”

TRY THIS
Remove.
Photo for the tip: Scene: weekly team meeting
TIP 20

Scene: weekly team meeting

Prepare an update.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: project kick-off
TIP 21

Scene: project kick-off

Ask about roles.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: strategy meeting
TIP 22

Scene: strategy meeting

Share one idea.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: client meeting
TIP 23

Scene: client meeting

Confirm goals.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: one-to-one
TIP 24

Scene: one-to-one

Bring a topic.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: stand-up
TIP 25

Scene: stand-up

Short update.

TRY THIS
Prepare.
Photo for the tip: Scene: all-hands
TIP 26

Scene: all-hands

Prepare a question.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: video meeting
TIP 27

Scene: video meeting

Use chat for your point.

TRY THIS
Prepare.
Photo for the tip: Scene: brainstorming
TIP 28

Scene: brainstorming

Bring three ideas.

TRY THIS
Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: review meeting
TIP 29

Scene: review meeting

Bring a result.

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Write.
Photo for the tip: Scene: unprepared
TIP 30

Scene: unprepared

Ask a question.

TRY THIS
Think.
Photo for the tip: Scene: nervous
TIP 31

Scene: nervous

Breathe, read the note.

TRY THIS
Calm.
Photo for the tip: Scene: interrupted
TIP 32

Scene: interrupted

Return to your point.

TRY THIS
Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: ignored
TIP 33

Scene: ignored

Repeat calmly.

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Practise.
Photo for the tip: Scene: someone else says it
TIP 34

Scene: someone else says it

Add a new angle.

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Think.
Photo for the tip: Make it a habit
TIP 35

Make it a habit

Every meeting.

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Schedule.
Photo for the tip: Track
TIP 36

Track

Count points made.

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Tally.
Photo for the tip: Be patient
TIP 37

Be patient

Habits grow.

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Keep going.
Photo for the tip: Seek help
TIP 38

Seek help

Coaching.

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Consider it.
Photo for the tip: Celebrate
TIP 39

Celebrate

You contributed.

TRY THIS
Mark it.
Photo for the tip: Close with focus
TIP 40

Close with focus

Say, “One point, well made.”

TRY THIS
Write it.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many everyday situations.

PREPARE

“My main point today is this.”

QUESTION

“Could we clarify the deadline?”

ADD

“I would like to add one thing.”

OFFER

“I can take that action.”

THANK

“Thanks, that is helpful.”

CLOSE

“To sum up, we agreed on three steps.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Read the agenda
DAY 2
Pick your point
DAY 3
Write it in one line
DAY 4
Add one fact
DAY 5
Plan when to speak
DAY 6
Practise once
DAY 7
Speak early

Further reading

  • Lean In (Sheryl Sandberg)
  • The Confidence Code (Katty Kay and Claire Shipman)
  • Never Split the Difference (Chris Voss)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

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Next lesson: Disagree With a Colleague Kindly →

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These lessons share general learning and everyday ideas. They are not medical or mental health advice. If you feel very anxious, low or unwell, please talk to a doctor or a qualified professional.

More lessons in “Confidence at Work”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Speak in the First Ten MinutesNext: Disagree With a Colleague Kindly →

  1. Prepare Your Three Stories
  2. Answer "Tell Me About Yourself" Well
  3. Handle the Question You Fear
  4. Ask Great Questions Back
  5. Talk About Your Strengths Without Bragging
  6. Recover From a Bad Answer
  7. Follow Up With a Winning Note
  8. Speak in the First Ten Minutes
  9. Prepare One Point Before Every Meeting
  10. Disagree With a Colleague Kindly
  11. Handle Being Interrupted
  12. Share Credit and Claim Yours
  13. Speak Up in a Big Group
  14. Look Confident in Video Meetings
  15. Ask for Feedback Regularly
  16. Receive Criticism Without Crumbling
  17. Ask for a Raise With Evidence
  18. Share Ideas Without Fear
  19. Say No to Extra Work Politely
  20. Report Problems Early
  21. Show Your Value Every Month
  22. Introduce Yourself in a New Team
  23. Make Friends at Work
  24. Ask for Help Without Shame
  25. Handle a Difficult Colleague
  26. Stop Being the Office Pushover
  27. Celebrate Others and Be Celebrated
  28. Build Your Reputation Quietly
  29. Take on a Stretch Project
  30. Overcome Impostor Syndrome
  31. Lead Without a Title
  32. Give Your First Presentation
  33. Mentor Someone Newer
  34. Handle a Mistake at Work
  35. Set a Career Goal You Believe In
  36. Learn One New Skill Every Quarter
  37. Network Without Feeling Fake
  38. Say Yes to Opportunities That Scare You
  39. Protect Your Energy and Balance
  40. Your Confidence at Work Plan
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