Dear Rubi

Rubi Says…

First, know who you are and what really matters to you. If you’re really results-oriented or people-oriented, you’ll bring those biases with you.

Second, if you’re going to a meeting and you don’t know anything about the topic, schedule a pre-meeting. You’l understand more and just about anyone you ask will say yes because you’re really interested in their topic. So get that briefing. Do it really fast - just 30 minutes - grab all the information you can, no judgement. You’ll start cooking on it before the meeting, then walk in and say, “You know, I’m not sure I have a particular point of view on this, but here’s what comes to mind first.”

It’s always OK to ask, “Can I think about it?” Introverts especially need to ask for time offline to think, then come back online later.

Don’t fake it - people always know.

Sincerely,
Rubi