Maximizing Your Post-Meeting Impact: Strategies for Effective Follow-Up

When we think about stressful meetings, oftentimes we focus our attention on preparing for and participating in the meeting. Once the meeting ends, we’re flooded with relief and eager to get back to our regular routines. In many cases, however, failing to consider your post-meeting plan can be a missed opportunity.

How many times has one of these situations happened to you??

• You were asked an unexpected question and fumbled your response.
• You chose not to share an idea or question because you were afraid of how others would respond.
• You felt intimidated by one or more figures in the room, which undermined your confidence and kept you on the sidelines.

Despite our best intentions and diligent preparation, things won’t always go according to plan. But in most cases, the moment has not completely passed you by. Instead of kicking yourself, replaying scenarios in your head or lamenting missed opportunities, take advantage of the opportunity to follow up after the meeting.

In recent posts, I shared strategies to more confidently prepare for and effectively navigate meetings. In this post, the third in a 3-part series, we will look at what to do after the meeting ends.?

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Is there anything I’d like to clarify?

Many professionals, particularly introverts, prefer to process information before responding to questions or sharing ideas. Unfortunately, meetings often favor those who think fast on their feet. If you feel like you were pressured to respond in the moment but have a new and better response now that you’ve had some time to think about it, reach out accordingly. Send a message to the appropriate individuals indicating that you’d like to update your response to the question posed in the meeting. Most people will respect and appreciate your diligence.

If you repeatedly find yourself in situations where you’re forced to provide an immediate response, you might consider this approach in the moment:

“I would prefer to think about this a bit more but if you need an immediate response, here’s what I’ll say off the top of my head. I will follow up with additional thoughts after the meeting.”

In this way, you’re reserving the right to update your response later, so others are prepared for it. And you’ve given yourself the space you need to process your thoughts.

• Is there anything I didn’t share?

Whether fear got the best of you or you were drowned out by the extroverts in the room, you may walk away feeling that you lost your chance to share an idea. It’s not too late, though! Send a message to the entire group or reach out to one or more participants offline to continue the conversation.?

Here is an example:

“I didn’t have a chance to share my perspective in our recent meeting about X but I’d like to weigh in with some additional thoughts here.”?

You might even find that your ideas get more visibility in this format than they would have if you tried to compete with the louder and faster voices in the meeting room.

• Are there any relationships I’d like to strengthen?

Do you find yourself intimidated by others in meetings? Perhaps impostor syndrome is making you question your own value while putting others on a pedestal. Maybe certain personality types undermine your confidence and make it more challenging to express your ideas. Or maybe you feel uncomfortable because you don’t know certain people in the room.

When you find yourself playing small because of the dynamics in the room, it’s helpful to ask yourself, “Are there relationships I can strengthen that will boost my confidence and make it easier for me to engage in these discussions?” While there are some people who will always be difficult to work with, more often than not, most people are simply different from you. Your perceptions of others are limited by your interactions with them. Taking the time to get to know them will allow you to better understand them and make them less intimidating when you encounter them in meetings.

If you struggle with how to build connections at work, check out this recent article on how to humanize your relationships.

The next time you walk out of a meeting wishing things had gone another way, don’t despair. Use these strategies to help you maximize your meeting follow-up.

Kim Meninger is a leadership coach, consultant and TEDx speaker who is on a mission to make it easier to be human at work. She believes that what holds us back in the workplace is rarely our ability to do the work itself – it’s the fears, doubts and insecurities we bring to our interactions with others. Connect with Kim to learn more about how she can support you and/or your team.