Meeting etiquette refers to codes of behaviour an individual ought to follow while attending meetings and discussions at the workplace.

People who attend meetings at least know that attention is the least they can provide; staying glued on the screen of your mobile phone, chatting with friends, or having a totally different conversation with your neighbour while someone else is conducting the meeting comes off as impolite.

Even if you dread them, meetings put you in front of co-workers and bosses who you may not work with on a regular basis. That means how you conduct yourself in them may leave a lasting impression, According to Business Insider.

Some people think that during a meeting is when they won’t be noticed because they believe everyone is concentrated to what’s being presented. But everyone is always watching and especially your boss or manager and they are noting down everything, says Marie Uwanyirigira, a sales manager in a publishing house.

She notes that meeting time should be time for your manners and behaviour to be analysed closely. Having polite manners is important and especially at that moment where everyone you work with is around. So taking few minutes to be professional and behave like so can bring a lot of points. 

Desire Mutabazi, who works for a design company thinks that meetings are professional and hence one should behave accordingly.

"Meetings are for talking about professional matters, and if you start chatting on your phone, chatting with your neighbour or even acting unprofessionally, you are disrespecting the meeting hosts and everyone present. But most importantly, you are disrespecting yourself,” he says.

How to behave in a meeting

According to The Houston Chronicle, those who’ve ever had to sit through an excruciatingly long business meeting should understand the value of professional behaviour. Once you’ve changed jobs a few times, you realise that there are some meeting truisms:

Punctuality and preparation

Showing up on time is mandatory; showing up early to set up visual aids is common sense. If you’ve been appointed to keep notes, get them to the leader or group the following day so they provide a timely reminder. When you promise to complete a task -- say, designing a brochure or drawing up a proposal -- get it done immediately; don’t wait until the day before the next meeting and come up with a product that’s second-rate. 

Technology

Leave the technology at your desk and wait until after lunch to read your email. Turn your cell phone off unless a call from the president is imminent. 

Participation

Communication depends not only on civil discourse but also on active listening. The art of problem-solving requires both as well as a willingness to compromise with grace. Always listen to the speaker until she takes a breath after her last word; it sets an example because it telegraphs that you’re thinking about what’s been said.

Ground rules

No group functions well without basic rules of behaviour and order. Whether your group meets formally or just has a list of agreed-upon protocols, professionals know the rules -- and obey them. If your group does not have ground rules, suggest that it decide how business should proceed.