3 Tips to Talk Better in Meetings, With a Little Help From Coffee

Barring those who prefer tea or herbal concoctions, coffee is likely an integral part of most pantries. Indeed, coffee occupies an esteemed position in global households, whether you own an espresso machine or prefer the soluble kind. 

Coffee wakes us in the morning, offering empathy to sleep-deprived new parents and students who burn the midnight oil. Over the years, researchers have found astounding health benefits of careful coffee consumption.

Earlier this month, the European Heart Journal reported that drinking coffee in the morning may lower your mortality risk. It can boost your metabolism and even reduce your risk of dementia. 

But perhaps one of the most well-known benefits of coffee is its boost of energy and spirit when in company – caffeinated courage, if you will. It can infuse us with the confidence and spark we need to shine in professional settings.

We recommend three tips to derive the maximum benefit from coffee for your work meeting without going overboard.

#1 Moderate the Amount of Caffeine 

Cafes might tell you how eternal relationships develop over coffee, thinkers exchanging great ideas in the hallowed seating. We don’t deny the power of coffee to make one feel more confident. However, not every brew is made alike.

To contribute effectively in meetings, you can benefit from some caffeine. Coffee can make your mental function more alert and improve your focus. It is not only for fighting sleep, after all. 

However, too much caffeine can have an unpleasant effect. You may feel too jumpy and overwrought to frame your thoughts articulately. A Frontiers study warns that excessive caffeine (over 400 mg or four cups) increases your risk of anxiety even if you don’t have a psychiatric condition.

A standard black coffee (240 ml) is usually just right. You can use one shot of coffee or around 2 oz. If you prefer something milky, a cappuccino or latte has less caffeine than a flat white. Perhaps keep the latter for later to celebrate how well the meeting went. A cold brew is also a fabulous option for those who want the caffeine uptick but face acid reflux issues.

On that note, you should consider going decaf for an evening meeting. Cleveland Clinic reports that consuming coffee at night can interfere with slumber. You don’t want to stay sleepless if you have morning meetings lined up for the next day. 

Beware that decaf coffee may still have around 7 mg of caffeine. Healthline has an excellent guide to regulating the caffeine in your daily coffee consumption.

Ultimately, how caffeine affects you is highly subjective. The impact depends on your genes and metabolism.

#2 Carry a Coffee Kit for Outstation Meetings

If meetings make you nervous, out-of-town events can be a recipe for disaster. In addition to the mental pep talk you need for the actual meeting, there is the added stress of travel. Coffee can help you in circumstances like these. You can begin the day with an uplifting brew to feel energized and awake.

Even the finest hotels sometimes offer sub-optimal coffee. Or you may have to make peace with the complementary instant sachets. Many coffee lovers abhor a poor-quality cuppa; it can be worse than going without. 

Instead, why not carry travel brewing devices? Options like a pour-over or dripper don’t take much space but reassure you with familiar, aromatic coffee. The online marketplace has simplified access to cafe-grade products for travel and day-to-day use. 

Many US-based restaurants and cafes visit caffewerks.com for espresso parts and supplies. It has a comprehensive collection of good-quality brewing, cleaning, and descaling equipment. 

The cafe industry has always been an integral part of the US professional scene, with several coffee shops located in commercial districts. Many find the hubbub of a cafe congenial for creative thinking during brainstorming sessions.

However, the US Chamber of Commerce notes that remote work has brought some changes, like all-day business as opposed to a lunch-hour peak. Specialty coffee has also become popular due to its lower acidity and higher cognitive enhancement. Cafe owners flexible enough to adopt new brewing methods and products like espresso cart kits can bank in on this shift.

That said, lazy packers should scout for dependable cafes in the area in advance, at the very least. A comforting cup of coffee can prepare your mind for the meeting, never mind the unfamiliar location.

#3 Balance Sipping with Connecting

The more socially awkward of us may fidget with a coffee mug, unsure how and when to drink during the meeting. Do you take a sip during pauses, or is that considered rude? Can you ask for refills?

The reason coffee has been a staple in boardroom meetings over the years isn’t only the caffeine boost. The practice of drinking a hot beverage together is a social act that brings communities closer. In a corporate setting, it can inspire ideas and make people feel comfortable sharing them with others. So, we dare say sipping coffee when others are talking is entirely acceptable.

The best approach is to pace things up: take small sips while pausing to connect and contribute. At the same time, one needn’t feel the urge to fill each gap in the conversation.  Alison Wood Brooks, a renowned conversation researcher, advises that moments of silence are a natural part of the ebb and flow of a conversation. In fact, she suggests grabbing a drink as an interesting way to refresh the meeting.

Likewise, asking for a refill or excusing yourself to get a sugar packet are all socially acceptable. These activities may even give you a much-needed break to regroup your thoughts.

Becoming a better communicator is a long-term exercise. Not everyone is born with a natural gift of the gab; most of us persevere and learn on the go. Coffee can be your cheerleader in situations where you need that extra impetus. No wonder cafes abound in harried professionals, overworked students, and nervous interviewees, all looking to the java for courage and comfort.