Build REAL Relationships in Virtual Meetings

Yesterday, my client, a VP in financial services, said it was a waste of time to go to his office. No one was there, and besides, the majority of meetings he led were remote. He shared that in the “olden days,” bonds were formed by walking around, schmoozing at your desk, or shockingly, even having lunch together!

Technology had changed things forever, and it was up to us to create new strategies for connection in a remote world.

Here are the 4 most successful strategies he implemented:

  1. Let the participants own the meeting agenda. Ask for or assign topics so that the leader isn’t droning on as listeners doze. Try to include 5 different presenters in a 45-minute meeting.
  2. Mix up the format. The value of a meeting is the collective brainpower and problem solving ability of participants. The implication: If your meetings are devoted to just updates or providing information, they’re bound to get dull.
  3. Get creative. My client varied the following ideas in his forty five minute meetings:  a) Updates on recent projects; b) Current challenges Participant(s) brings up an issue and the group chimes in; c) Discussion of article or research led by a participant; d) What’s happening? Participants state what they are up to outside of work; e) Looking ahead: Leader or participant tees up a future initiative. The group brainstorms.
  4.  Use PODs to get everyone involved. PODs stand for Participants of the Day. These team members are responsible for contributing to discussion. PODS are essential when the meeting includes more than 8 people.

Let’s hear your ideas for taking the remote out of remote meetings.

Spread the love

Author

Laurie Schloff

Laurie Schloff

Similar posts

Identifying Manipulative Communication in the Workplace

Manipulative communication in the workplace decreases work efficiency, increases job dissatisfaction, contributes to a hostile environment and lowers morale. Most people are challenged to identify manipulative tactics and even when they spot them, they do not feel competent in responding effectively. Spotting the manipulator can be difficult. They can be everywhere that humans are found. The manipulator can be anyone! They are difficult to identify because they are so well camouflaged and have no outwardly

Spread the love

Sometimes It Takes All Day To Get Nothing Done

In the past three years, we’ve had to look for creative ways to collaborate. We’re in the era of real-time virtual technology mixed with in-person meetings. It’s overwhelming. When we’re overwhelmed and spread too thin, we tune out and barely participate in one meeting as we often try to multitask. Zoom, Teams, Slack, WhatsApp, and many others give us no reason not to collaborate on our day-to-day jobs. However, with so many meetings, are we

Spread the love

Defensiveness Prevents Clear Communication

The First Moment: Defensiveness  If your listener is defensive, your point is probably missed. They have been left with the impression that you, intentionally or not, are criticizing their idea or them. Instead of focusing on getting solutions, they will be driven by this passion for defending the idea or their persona. They are struggling, and it may be your fault. You may have needed to set the right expectations; your tone may have needed

Spread the love

50 Speen Street | Framingham, MA 01701 USA 

Phone: +1 (617) 739-3330 | Email: [email protected]

Copyright 2022 The Speech Improvement Company Inc.