It can be tough to know when to speak up in meetings — especially if you’re new to an organization or don’t have a ton of expertise on the topic being discussed. One often overlooked way to contribute is to volunteer to be the scribe. While this role may sound “junior” or “insignificant” at a glance, it holds more power than merely jotting down and distributing notes; it allows you to show that you are a competent and attentive listener who knows how to connect the dots between ideas and shape the narrative for the team. You may even have a chance to steer the direction of the conversation by asking probing questions to help you take clearer notes. Then when the meeting is wrapped up, you can send out a succinct summary — key points from the meeting structured in a way that allows others to forward your message to anyone who missed the meeting or would like to review. While this role may not be something you want to fill in every meeting, it gives you the opportunity to engage in the conversation, gain visibility from important stakeholders, and learn about the goals your team is trying to reach. You may not be an expert on the subject matter, but by the end of the meeting, you will be an expert on the conversation.
Taking Notes Can Be a Meaningful Role to Fill