Making Virtual Meetings Rock
At the beginning of 2020, who would
have predicted that we would be working remotely in the next 90 days?
Many of us are using this as an opportunity to use technology to stay connected. As
we work from home and explore new ways to collaborate virtually, we are looking
to have MORE engaging and effective virtual meetings.
I enjoyed facilitated a session for ICF Bangalore as part of the
weekly
connect call. I was inspired to design this session with tools and
processes
that evoke collaboration and connection. I have learnt so much over the
last few weeks from friends across the globe who have been sharing
generously. We started with a Check in with
different prompts and here are some glimpses into the richness of
responses from the group. (Liberating Structures)
COVID IS..
Scary - an eye and mind opener - Great opportunity - disruptor - not so
bad - Unknown -Pandemic - unparalleled - awakening of the values
hidden opportunity to learn - will..Go Go go very fast - dreadful -
A VIRUS- An Opportunity for all -the time to reset and focus on investing in
yourself - one helluva strange/interesting experience
ONE THING I HAVE CHANGED IS…
Lifestyle - my approach to life -more acceptance - become more patient -
Taking one day at a time- the way to look at people- my outlook - my
perspective- is my attitude to writing- Letting the small things go - the way I
spend time - Closeness- Not going out- Following a gratitude journal- Focusing
on health
ONE THING I PLAN TO DO BUT HAVEN’T IS…
Regular meditation - read more - work - start cleaning up my documents-
write my experiences in business -reading more -Read a book fully - Cleaning my
self...Complete my thesis on Transaction Analysis - read more - meditate -
continue harmonica play - start my business -Study -write more- get more
work done -Focus on peer coaching in these days
A QUESTION THAT IS EMERGING FOR ME…
When will it end? Is all this rat race worth it? Who am I ? What
is more dear to me? Job or family & friends ?What next? What do I want to
do differently in the days ahead? Is what is important to me in these times?
Time to reprogram yourself and your activities? How do I hold on to this
work life flexibility? Did we need this now? How will life change?
What will change for ever? How long? Sharpen the saw? Will I love
the new normal , I think so. Does the Government have a good plan to
balance Economy vs Lockdown? How will I adapt?
ALL I WANT IS…
Peace ; Nothing else ; be normal ; life to continue ; one
step at a time ; health and happiness ; A wholesome life ; get back to work and
life in general ; Good health for everyone Take things as they come. All
is good ; Being able to stay centered ; To do something meaningful; See how
world is going to change; Coffee at a beach; Life to be back to what it used to
be ; Use this time productivity; happiness and safety ; People to
heal sooner; No more loss of life due to Covid; Peace of mind; Things to be
normal
We used another tool - Mentimeter to acknowledge the feelings that participants
were bringing in and their current experience with leading virtual meetings. It
was encouraging that many were curious, excited, happy and intrigued to be on
the session. The one word that stood out from the word cloud resonating
was: "Curious". We had a group who had some experience with leading
virtual meetings and a few who were new to it.
We
discussed the Top tips for Engagement, Setting the Tone, Getting voices
heard and various ways to use technology in the best possible way. The
group loved playing with the Annotate function in zoom, especially the
'stamp' function. So many possibilities when we keep it simple! Many in
the group had not experienced the power of 'break out' room function. We also explored the 6 neuroscience principles to hold the attention of the learner.
The group shared the various tools they have been using to keep participants engaged.
We
discussed the Top tips for Engagement, Setting the Tone, Getting voices
heard and various ways to use technology in the best possible way. The
group loved playing with the Annotate function in zoom, especially the
'stamp' function. So many possibilities when we keep it simple! Many in
the group had not experienced the power of 'break out' room function. We also explored the 6 neuroscience principles to hold the attention of the learner.
- ASK questions and get participants to respond, express their views, open mic
- Breakout Room, Polls, Ask for reaction, Usage of POY, usage of chatbox, mentimeter,
- Survey and tools to engage, Mural, Miro, Ideaboardz
- Have short exercises related to the topic that can be done via the chat box
- Have a partner who watches the tech part
- Simple Question table with Closed Questions
- Kahoot; give participant to express their views
- Have debate with has binary options
- Call out names of people on the conference
- Keep it interactive, ask , paraphrase, acknowledgements
We closed with reflections and sharing ONE key learning from the session. It was wonderful to engage with the group after the session.
Curious to learn more creating or facilitating engaging and impactful virtual sessions? Connect with me on Linkedin to explore how I can help.
Curious to learn more creating or facilitating engaging and impactful virtual sessions? Connect with me on Linkedin to explore how I can help.
