In my roles as business owner, entrepreneur, coach, strategist, finance directors, CEO and many others, i get to attend a lot of meetings.  I often find myself asking the question, “Is this meeting really necessary?”  The answer is always, “Yes”.

So why are meetings necessary?  I am sure in the past any of you reading this have sighed at a meeting request and moaned to your relevant other as to how this person or group just waffles on and makes no progress, or thought that your time could better be spent doing the work that you have not gotten to because of attending these meetings all the time.

The alternative thought to the meeting request and why i believe that all meetings however tedious are necessary, is that someone invited you to be in a meeting as they wanted your input on some issue.  Or they value your take on the project.  Or they want your support in a proposal. etc.  There may be many reasons for a meeting and reasons that you have been invited.  It is therefore my opinion that if you have been invited to a meeting, you are wanted or needed there.

Now if you are wanted or needed, that should make you feel good? Right? So why do many of us get despondent at being invited to a meeting.  Once again it is my own opinion, that in many cases we do not see the value you we add to other people.  We are always caught up in our own cubicle, performing our own tasks that we forget that our existence in the business is to add value to the business and those around us.  If we did not add value, the business would not need us, nor would the CEO need you in that meeting and as such you would not have been invited.

However, you have been invited.  So now what?  Here are my thoughts.

1. Be excited about the meeting.  This will ensure that you prepare in advance.
2. Be on time.  This will show others that you respect their time and see their interaction with you as valuable.
3. Be present.  Always show interest in the discussion, turn off your cell phone.
4. Engage in the conversation.  Ask questions when you don’t understand.
5. Be the expert, when called upon.  Do not be afraid to state your opinion on the topic, after all that is why they included you in the meeting.
6. Always be constructive.  If you have nothing valuable to say, say nothing.

In closing, start looking forward to meetings, you never know what will come out of it if you really engage.