Checking understanding

Have you ever come away from a meeting feeling that you've probably missed some of the main points or haven't really understood what's been decided? Following a conversation about complicated topics in a group can be a frustrating experience. In particular when the only way you know how to ask someone to repeat something is by saying "pardon" or "sorry". The more often a speaker hears these two words, the more uncomfortable he or she might start to feel, too.

Avoid creating an awkward situation by learning how to ask someone to repeat something in a variety of ways. That way, the speaker may not even realize that he or she is having to repeat something more than once. And, more importantly, he or she may not notice that you're having problems understanding the meeting. You're more likely to come across as interested in the details, instead of confused by the content.

Deborah Capras