Are You a Masterful Meeting Participant?
Analyze the Statements and tick the best options you had done in previous meetings.
1. If the meeting has not
started at the scheduled time,
most often I...
2. If a meeting starts without
a clear purpose or agenda,
most often I...
3. During discussions, most
often I...
4. When someone makes a
recommendation with which I
disagree, most often I...
5. When a person with higher
authority disagrees with a
view I expressed, most often
I...
6. When a person who is a
subordinate or peer disagrees
with a view I expressed, most
often I...
7. If the discussion goes off
topic for several minutes,
most often I...
8. If the discussion leads me to Make a mental note to
an important thought for the
team that is off topic, most
often I...
9. If I feel the meeting is
wasting my time, most often
I...
10. When I believe I have a
solution that can help the
team, most often I...
A B C D
Wait patiently for the Talk with other participants about Ask the group to set a time limit, Leave the meeting because I have
meeting to begin. business or unrelated topics. after which the meeting starts or is more productive things to do.
canceled.
Say nothing since most Listen attentively in hopes that the Ask the meeting leader to give the Remind the meeting leader of the
meetings start this way. purpose and agenda will be purpose and the agenda. correct way to start a meeting.
identified.
Listen unless asked a Speak up when an issue impacts my Share my views and ask others to Speak the most because other people
question. area. share theirs. are quiet.
Wait to see if someone Speak up if I believe the person is Ask the person to explain why he Tell the person what I believe and
else objects. open to critical comments. or she supports the why.
recommendation and then share
my thoughts.
Remain silent since the Acknowledge the person's right to Ask the person to explain why he Tell the person what I believe and
person will take the disagree with me. or she disagrees and then share my why.
action he or she thoughts.
desires.
Remain silent to avoid Acknowledge the person's right to Ask the person to explain why he Tell the person what I believe and
offending the person. disagree with me. or she disagrees and then share my why.
thoughts.
Stay quiet to avoid Try to steer the conversation back to Ask that we record a reminder to Tell the group that we need to stay
adding to the time the main point. discuss the topic later so we can on topic.
spent in the off-topic get back to the main point.
discussion.
Jot the thought down so I don't Ask that we record a reminder to Tell the team about the thought and
mention the thought at forget it. discuss the thought later so we can engage in a discussion about it.
another time. stay on the main point.
Show respect by trying Start doing other work during the Let the group know of my concern Leave the meeting because I have
to stay tuned in and meeting to try to be productive. and ask if anyone else has this more productive things to do.
listening. same concern.
Wait to see if someone Speak up if I believe the team is Offer my solution and invite Tell the team what I believe and
else offers the solution. open to solutions. people to discuss strengths, why.
weaknesses and other alternatives.
Scoring

Add the number of responses in each of the four categories and record below. Then multiply the number of responses by the multiplier to arrive at four sub-totals.
Finally, add the sub-totals to arrive at a total score.

Total Number of Responses in

A:______ B:______ C:______ D:______
each Category

Multiplier x1 x2 x4 x2

Sub-Totals

Total Score

Evaluation

Use the guide below to interpret your score.

30- You generally are a masterful meeting participant. You contribute when needed, you move the meeting toward constructive discussion, and you help
40 resolve conflicting views.

20- While there are times when your participation is masterful, there are also times when you may stifle your own participation or the participation of others.
29 You may find it helpful to speak up more or to invite others to speak up. Seek win-win solutions to conflict by encouraging others to explain their views.

10- You can contribute much more to meetings than you currently do. By speaking up, masterful meeting participants help create an environment in which
19 meetings are productive, effective, and engaging.