Contribute spontaneously to meetings and discussions, leading if appropriate

Understand the essential role that meetings and discussions play in various settings, from workplaces to community groups and academic environments. They serve as a platform to exchange ideas, resolve issues, and make collective decisions.
Know the value of inclusive participation, which means everyone in the meeting or discussion should have the opportunity to contribute, including BSL users.
Be prepared to contribute spontaneously, which means sharing ideas, thoughts, comments, or questions as they come to mind. This spontaneity adds dynamism to a discussion and encourages others to actively contribute too.

Be ready to take charge of a meeting or discussion if necessary, which could be due to your role, an assigned responsibility, or emergent need. Leading involves setting the agenda, facilitating communication and interaction, and managing time effectively.
Develop your skills for giving clear instructions or explanations in BSL. As a leader, you would need to guide others, define objectives, describe processes, or clarify concepts.
Show confidence in using a wide variety of BSL vocabulary and constructs, adapting your signing speed, size, and directionality based on your audience and the complexity of the subject matter.

Learn to interpret non-verbal cues and facial expressions of others, an essential aspect of BSL and particularly important in a dynamic discussion environment. It can help you gauge if your messages are being understood, or if someone wishes to contribute to the conversation.
Master the use of turn-taking signals, like raising your hand a certain way or changing your posture. In BSL conversations, these visual cues help prevent interruptions and organise the flow of dialogue effectively.
Recognise how to respectfully disagree with others through signs, maintaining a constructive conversation tone even when viewpoints diverge.
Be aware of the register to apply in your signing depending on the context: formal for professional or objective discussions, informal for casual or subjective conversations.