So many conference calls are plagued with a one way monologue, with facilitators and leaders feeling as if they need to speak at, rather than engage with, their group members. Today’s post gives you three quick approaches you may want to try in your next virtual call to jazz things up a bit. In order to not be too disruptive, make sure you let people know that they can expect something different!
#1 – Engagement Opportunity – Breakouts. While breakouts are often seen as a risky move in the virtual realm, they are one way to get everyone involved. Not everyone is comfortable contributing in larger groups, unless called upon. Breakouts provide the advantage of creating a major pace change in getting everyone’s voice in smaller groups. Breakouts tend to work best with smaller numbers – twos, threes or fours. Breakouts over five people often create that “large group feel” again. Provide breakout groups with a question and instructions on what to do, and how much time they have to discuss. Make sure you get people to think about how they will report back.
#2 Engagement Opportunity – Doing something real-time. As I have written in the past, one of my favorite activities is real-time, hands-on action during virtual calls. While it may not be the forum for team meetings, doing something real-time like a dedicated 30 minute joint team focus on moving the one thing you need to get off our list, can be a real-boost. We all have items that never get attention, and the benefit of a virtual hack or longer virtual retreat is that you have the real-time group/team support, and a dedicated time to just focus on one thing. Virtual hacks which I run are usually 30-45 minutes, and virtual retreats are anywhere from 4-8 hours.
#3 Engagement – Rotate roles. Who says the team leader always needs to lead the meeting. Many teams are blessed with great talent and this third idea gets you to think about flattening the role structure for your meetings. Who else can lead the meeting? Time keep? Report. What benefits do you notice when you rotate the roles?
What other ideas do you have for mixing things up virtually?
#1 – Engagement Opportunity – Breakouts. While breakouts are often seen as a risky move in the virtual realm, they are one way to get everyone involved. Not everyone is comfortable contributing in larger groups, unless called upon. Breakouts provide the advantage of creating a major pace change in getting everyone’s voice in smaller groups. Breakouts tend to work best with smaller numbers – twos, threes or fours. Breakouts over five people often create that “large group feel” again. Provide breakout groups with a question and instructions on what to do, and how much time they have to discuss. Make sure you get people to think about how they will report back.
#2 Engagement Opportunity – Doing something real-time. As I have written in the past, one of my favorite activities is real-time, hands-on action during virtual calls. While it may not be the forum for team meetings, doing something real-time like a dedicated 30 minute joint team focus on moving the one thing you need to get off our list, can be a real-boost. We all have items that never get attention, and the benefit of a virtual hack or longer virtual retreat is that you have the real-time group/team support, and a dedicated time to just focus on one thing. Virtual hacks which I run are usually 30-45 minutes, and virtual retreats are anywhere from 4-8 hours.
#3 Engagement – Rotate roles. Who says the team leader always needs to lead the meeting. Many teams are blessed with great talent and this third idea gets you to think about flattening the role structure for your meetings. Who else can lead the meeting? Time keep? Report. What benefits do you notice when you rotate the roles?
What other ideas do you have for mixing things up virtually?
Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
Phone: (416)996-8326
Connect with us to be the first to know more about launch events around my newest book - Effective Virtual Conversations - coming out later this spring/early summer!
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
Phone: (416)996-8326
Connect with us to be the first to know more about launch events around my newest book - Effective Virtual Conversations - coming out later this spring/early summer!
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