In a lengthy remote workshop, maintaining engagement requires understanding that participants may experience virtual fatigue, and disengagement isn’t always a lack of interest. It’s essential to create an environment that values participation while also addressing the unique challenges of remote settings. Integrate varied activities and interaction formats, such as polls, breakout rooms, or collaborative whiteboards, to keep energy levels up and allow different ways to contribute. Using Pulse Checks—short moments where participants rate their engagement or energy level—helps you gauge the group’s needs in real-time. My personal rule is to give a 5-10 min break after every 60 minutes and never have a virtual workshop that exceeds 3 hours

Know that ‘keeping them engaged’ all the time is impossible. We all drift off, zone out and come back. It’s our natural human state. You know, circadian rhythms. Build that reality into the design of your workshop. Use less cheesy activities trying to maintain engagement all the time and instead go for the rise and fall that will naturally happen with everyone’s attention, interest and engagement. Think of a 90-minute block in your long workshop — let that block have some bright and engaging activities, quiet reflection, group stuff, analytical, creative, story, etc … allow variety but not so much that it’s sideshow chaos. Let attention rise and fall; this more human approach will be appreciated. ??

I would question why we are running a lengthy online workshop in the first place. Gartners latest report on the top 5 priorities for HR leaders in 2025, shows that seminar or lecture style learning can have a negative effect on organisations. Instead we should be designing shorter learning modules delivered over a longer period of time that incorporate social connection between peers and time for reflection. Ongoing development occurs when peers have formed strong connections with each other and can rely on each other for support. If each module only focuses on 1-2 ideas and gives the participants practical actions they can experiment with between modules then engagement won't be an issue.

I use five rules: - Never use Powerpoint (send materials as pdf in advance) - Never longer than 90 minutes sessions (may be 3/4 sessions in a day…) - Never longer than 15 min. Meaning the duration for any learning activity I plan (exceot breakout) - Never less than 2 breakout per session - Never forget to use Mural/Miro to ensure engagement. Everything else is negotiable…