Positive Approaches to Managing Contributions to Meetings:

• building in thinking time before meetings to allow your thoughts to take shape - and putting this time in your calendar, even if you disguise it as something else
  
  
• preparing well for the meeting: perhaps identifying a couple of key points you want to make, or some constructive challenges, and anticipating any questions or reactions
  
  
• speaking early to get your voice heard, perhaps with a simple question
  
  
• reducing the sense of urgency to contribute early in meetings
  
  
• valuing your own ability to observe, listen and reflect
  
  
• using questions to develop clarity
  
  
• visualising yourself making a contribution
  
  
• if chairing, introducing a variety of discussion methods, perhaps including paired discussions
  
  
• being aware of other introverts’ need for time to think
  
  
• if chairing a meeting, using a ‘lighthouse person’ or observer, to feed back to members how the meeting seems to be going
  
  
• recognising the value of being able to express a considered view, even if it is towards the end of the meeting
  
  
• speaking at the end of a meeting to summarise and synthesise what has been discussed
  
  
• asking for time to reflect on questions and issues and getting back to people within an agreed time limit
  
  
• when you feel you have given a poor response ‘on the spot’, having the courage to go back to the chair (or whoever) with a more considered response.