Your team members seem disconnected during virtual meetings. How can you ensure they feel heard and valued?

We @LINKINGBIRDS have observed that participants in virtual training courses are often not focussed on the subject at hand and that there is a general ‘fatigue’ towards virtual formats. Keeping 100% of the participants' attention is a challenge for the moderator of the session and, from our point of view, requires a lot of effort: - Very high energy level of the moderator - Strong involvement of the participants in a session by addressing them directly - Minimising technical aspects and challenges as much as possible and possibly adding a virtual producer for support (depending on group size and content) - Personal feedback to participants after the session with positive feedback on individual contributions from each participant

Establece un ambiente de bienvenida al inicio de cada reunión, permitiendo tiempo para una breve charla informal. Utiliza la función de video para mantener la conexión visual y fomenta la participación activa invitando a cada miembro a compartir sus pensamientos. Implementa rondas de retroalimentación donde todos tengan la oportunidad de hablar sin interrupciones. Practica la escucha activa, mostrando interés genuino y haciendo preguntas para profundizar en los puntos de los miembros del equipo. Usa herramientas interactivas como encuestas en vivo o pizarras digitales para involucrar a todos de manera dinámica. Asegúrate de reconocer las contribuciones de cada miembro públicamente y agradece sus aportes. Finalmente, cierra con un resumen.

Modeling active listening encourages the team to do the same as a result creating a culture of mutual respect and open communication. Undoubtedly it's a simple yet effective way to make everyone feel valued and heard!

One thing a lot of people forget--or don't realize--is that your energy level translates differently in person than it does on line. When I first started doing virtual presentations, I felt like I was going over-the-top with my energy, only to find it felt "normal" . . . or even boring to the people on the other end. Changing things up with the structure of the meeting, using visual, audio, and other elements to keep things engaging, and tracking your energy level can all help keep your audience engaged during a virtual meeting. If you're delivering online how you normally would in person, the chances are likely that your presentation might seem boring or flat to your audience.

By incorporating personal recognition into virtual meetings, you can make each team member feel heard and valued, improving overall engagement and connectivity. - Begin meetings by acknowledging individual contributions and successes. - Rotate responsibilities, such as leading the meeting or presenting topics, to give everyone a moment in the spotlight. - Direct specific questions to team members during discussions to engage them actively. - Provide opportunities for team members to share personal updates or professional insights, reinforcing their value to the team.

Si tu equipo parece desconectado durante las reuniones virtuales, es fundamental actuar de inmediato. Primero, haz las reuniones más interactivas. Utiliza herramientas como encuestas en vivo o pizarras virtuales para fomentar la participación. Asegúrate de que todos tengan la oportunidad de hablar. Llama a cada miembro por su nombre y pídeles su opinión sobre temas específicos. Reduce la duración de las reuniones. Manténlas concisas para evitar la fatiga. Implementa un espacio de retroalimentación al final de cada reunión. Pregunta qué funcionó y qué puede mejorarse. Reconoce y valora las contribuciones de cada uno. Un simple agradecimiento puede hacer una gran diferencia.