11 tips to appear smarter than you actually are in meetings

Like everyone, we wish to appear smarter than actually, we are. If you are trying to do better in today’s cut-throat corporate world then your communication skills need to be better than the others and the way of representing your points should be in such a way that it makes a good impression on others. So here are some points which can implement while presenting in meeting that will lead to a good impression.

1. Leave the meeting to get water and ask them if anybody needs anything: Before the meeting starts, get up and ask if anyone needs anything like water, tea or snacks. By this people will think that you are caring and kind but actually you want to disappear for 10 minutes so that no question will be asked. Even if no one wants anything, return with some water bottles and snacks by which your folks will feel compelled to start drinking and eating snacks, and your foresight will make them think that you can really predict the future and very thoughtful.


2. When someone is using a scientific word then ask them to explain in detail for folks: If a technical term is used by some person, stop it there and say, “I think some folks are not aware with the word you mean to say, can you explain the word for them?” or “I think we might have different interpretations towards that word, can you describe what you mean to say and how are you using it?”. By this way, you look like having some interest in the meeting and you can be familiar with the technical word means.


3. Convert Multi-Word Phrases into Acronyms: During the meeting when you listen to a multi-word phrase, convert that phrase into an acronym and repeat it back to the folks. Converting into acronym should be very fast in few seconds and it is best for three-word phrases like “Point of Contact”(POC), “Fundamental of Science”(FCS), “mark my words”(MMW), “Product management system”(PMS) etc.


4. Bob continuously while act to take notes in notepad: Always bring a notepad with you and taking notes by writing down in small words for important sentences that you listen. Bob continuously while doing so that makes a respect of your ignorance of technology. Making some meaningless flowcharts that make your folk with a worried interest.


5. Place Sticky notes all over your device: Everyone wants to look smarter and intelligent than others. By placing them on your devices seems to be more important points for you and which can be understood by you and are written in bullet points and underlines.


6. The presentation should be large and have all related data: Collection of slides should be large enough so that it looks like you really did your research.


7. Stride around the room: To make everyone distracted towards your side and forcing them to think about what you’re thinking, you have to stand in between the meeting and move towards the wall and lean against it and taking a deep, pensive sigh.


8. Ask the presenter to go back a slide: For making a good impression on others and taking others concentration towards your side you can say, “sorry, could you go back a slide?”. By saying this it will immediately make you look like you’re paying attention towards the meeting and making you smarter and the presenter doesn’t want to hear this type of statement from anyone.


9. Encourage “take a step back”: In most meetings, there is a point where everyone agrees with some point, except you. Opinions, data, and milestones are being present in front of you but you don’t know your call to action but this is a point to go, “Guys, guys can we take a step back here?” Everyone will turn your side and surprised at your ability to silence the fray and follow it up with a quick, “What problem are we really trying to solve in the meeting?” and by this, you have yourself another point of looking smart.


10. Say how you think the CEO would respond to the idea: By asking the folks how the CEO would respond to an idea make folks think that you have a very close relationship with the CEO. Mention your CEO by the first name and congratulate everyone on behalf of CEO for coming up with something that CEO like. By this folks will start thinking of you as some kind of CEO-in-training.


11. Ask someone to email a summary: At the end of the meeting, ask if someone is going to email a summary which shows your folks that you really care about what happened in the meeting and showing some respect to them of giving their time for the meeting.

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