Harvard Business Review: “Meetings provide a platform for people to investigate issues, explore new avenues, and agree on actions. They’re also an opportunity to highlight leadership skills, interests, and managerial styles. However, many fall short of this promise. Ask yourself how much return you get from your involvement in all meetings, but especially the board and executive meetings you attend. How much time and energy do you have left in your schedule to think, imagine, and communicate in other ways? Some organizations are trying to get a grip on wasteful meetings, introducing no-meeting days, empowering people to make their own decisions, and improving the way meetings are planned and facilitated. At their best, meetings are purposeful, inclusive (of the people who actually need to be there), and participatory. Nevertheless, some leaders don’t pay much attention to their own contributions to meetings, whether they’re leading or attending. Mark,* an executive I worked with, contributed substantively and listened attentively in meetings. But truth be told, he was bored of playing the same role and concerned his lack of enthusiasm was damaging his personal brand. When I asked about his strategy for meetings, he replied, “I don’t have one.” In a world where there’s more focus on the quality of meetings, it pays to take the opportunity to showcase your best self to your colleagues and make the most of your own time and energy. The following five strategies should help…”