We’ve all been there – sitting around a table in a brainstorm or a meeting and feeling like you’ve got no opportunity to speak up or, worse still, nothing to say of use. So after literally minutes of meetings setting up Glamourless, we’ve got experience aplenty to share with you. Here are five amazing things that will really make you stand out from the crowd. Just don’t use them all at once: you don’t want to get the reputation of office genius!

Remember: you’re only as tough as the challenge you are

‘OK, guys. Let’s take this online.’
tweet

Yeah, that’s right. They don’t want to discuss it? Screw them! This is your moment. Refuse to let them take it offline and keep hammering home that point or bringing up that unpleasantness. Own the room. They’ll respect you for it.

‘I am challenge.’ tweet

It’s not enough to just challenge people these days – you have to be challenge. Tee them up with this bold statement and then continue to rigorously challenge everything anyone says. And remember: you’re only as tough as the challenge you are. Challenge. 

‘Yeah, but is it a multi-channel integrated solution?’ tweet

You don’t have to know what it means – you just have to mean it.

‘I just don’t feel it’s really blading right now.’ tweet

Sure, some people might find it aggressive or think you’ve made a mistake, but this is the new way to say ‘it doesn’t cut it’. Don’t feel self-conscious about being ahead of the curve, either – you can’t help it if you’re light years ahead of the rest of them.

‘No.’ tweet

Pretty much nobody ever says this in meetings so, if you want to stand out, just say no. Don’t give too much thought to what you’re saying no to – it’s the act itself that’s important. Remember that the devil’s in the detail, and the devil’s never welcome!

Got any career advice you’d like to see included in the next issue of ‘5 amazing things to say in meetings that will WOW everyone?’ If we get five more, we’ll write another one, so send them in.