Item 11: Stop for Questions Frequently

The stuff we working on is complex. When you get started explaining something, it's hard not to go off on a tangent. However, it's likely that the longer you talk, the less people actually listen. They're trying to keep everything in their brain, and you're overloading them with information.

To combat information overload and zoning out, stop for questions frequently. Basically, whenever you finish a thought, stop and say "was that clear?" or "any questions?" or something like that.

Doing this has two key advantages:

• It gives people the chance to make sure they're on the same page as you
• It brings the attention and energy back into the room.

The science behind this is brains like to be engaged [CITATION NEEDED].

Like a TED Talk, engage your audience. That's how you'll get the most out of those requirements meetings.