untitled

• Be sure all participants know each others’
  names, and if appropriate, areas of expertise.
  If they don’t, introduce them to one another.
  Use their names as you speak to them.


• Look at and listen to speakers. Ask for clar-
  ification when needed.


• Assure that all have a chance to speak, and
  assure that no one speaks just to be heard.
  Be sensitive to women and men whose
  ideas might get lost.

Be Substantive

• Clarify your own objective(s) before
  your meeting. Begin the meeting by
  stating the objective(s) as clearly as you
  can manage. Highlight and acknowledge
  any murky areas.


• Describe the ground rules for how you’ll
  use the meeting to accomplish its objective.
  Describe your plans for keeping the meet-
  ing on task.


• Don’t try to accomplish in big meetings
  things that should be handled privately.
  For example, telling another scientist that
  she/he doesn’t fit in the project you are
  planning is best done in private, even if it
  first becomes clear to you in the course of
  your bigger meeting.
  
  
  • Use subgroups to accomplish appropriate
    tasks, when subgroups can do so more
    efficiently.
  
  
  • Encourage participants to speak briefly
    when adding new ideas or expanding on
    those already offered.
  
  
  • Encourage participants who disagree with
    one another’s ideas to debate the ideas,
    without attacking one another personally.
  
  
  • End your meetings with a summary of
    what has been accomplished and a list of
    action items with due dates.
  
  
  • Thank the participants for their help and
    contributions.
  
  
  
  

The Real World

People who are knowledgeable in some area

make it easier for others to respect them,

especially if they convey the knowledge in a

friendly fashion.... A man will display at

least a small amount of deference to his

female conversational partner—by looking

at her when she is speaking—if she knows

more about the topic under discussion than

he does.^1

Depending on the environment, it can

be hard or easy to be heard and to be

effective. Your self-confidence, firmness,

consideration for others, and clear sense of

purpose will make it easier. Your success

and effectiveness in being heard will

build one more step toward a world

where women contribute their talents

without hindrance. ■

224 CAREER ADVICE FOR LIFE SCIENTISTS II

Be sensitive to women and men

whose ideas might get lost.