If You Get Anxious Right before a Meeting Try This

YT anxious before a meeting

I recently read Charles Duhigg’s new book, Supercommunicators. Being a fan of his work, I wanted to share an insightful tip he mentioned in an HBR article about what you can do if you get anxious right before a meeting.

If you have a meeting with someone that you’re excited about, anxious about, or nervous about, jot down a few topics or questions beforehand.

Research shows that when people are anxious before a meeting, writing down potential discussion points the meetings tend to go a lot better. They’re a lot less anxious. They might never even look at or revisit the topics that they jotted down on that piece of paper, but that gives them a feeling of security that they have those back pocket questions. 

This technique is also effective for networking events or meetings with unfamiliar faces. Having a few engaging questions ready can make conversations flow more smoothly and reduce your anxiety before a meeting.

Try this tip next time you feel anxious before a meeting. It can make a noticeable difference in your comfort and confidence levels, leading to more successful interactions.

Read more: How Can You Improve Your Emotional Intelligence (EQ)?

Jo Ilfeld, PhD

An executive leadership coach, Jo helps C-suite leaders, executives, and high-potential managers develop the flexibility, skill, and frame of mind to meet the challenges of the next five, ten, twenty years…. and beyond. She works with individuals, teams and organizations on four core areas of leadership development. Check out Jo's bio page for more information.

Leave a Comment