Stage 4 of 7 · 7 lessons · ~2 weeks

Meetings, stand-ups and online calls

Meetings are where many people go quiet, especially when seniors are present or the call is in English. Prepare, speak early, give clear updates and make online calls work for you.

Start: Clear stand-up updates

Lessons· one lesson for each topic, in this order

Do this

Read the agenda and prepare one point before each meeting
Speak at least once in the first ten minutes of each meeting for two weeks
Write stand-up updates in three lines: done, today, blocked
Test your microphone and camera before calls
Send a short written follow-up after at least two meetings
Learn one phrase for getting a word in and use it

Start with

GuideFree
GitLab Handbook: Communication
GitLab
Practical rules for meetings, video calls and written follow-ups in a remote team

Practise

Soft Skills Engineering
Podcast answering real questions about speaking up and working with people in tech

Keep handy

Loom
Record a short video update when a meeting slot is not enough or time zones clash
One on One Meeting Questions
Questions to raise with your manager when meetings are hard to speak up in

Before moving on: Two weeks of meetings where you spoke at least once in the first ten minutes, clear three-line stand-up updates, a tested setup for online calls and at least two written follow-ups after meetings.

Tauseef's advice

In meetings, the hardest part is the first sentence. Prepare one point before you walk in, say it early and the rest of the meeting gets easier. If the moment passes, write it afterwards. A clear two-line message after a meeting often has more effect than a speech during it.

Struggling right now? If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, contact local emergency services or a crisis line: Find a helpline (any country), Umang (Pakistan), Tele-MANAS, 14416 (India).