Put people in break outs and have them report back to the larger group. Intimacy is the key with online, continually break groups down to create original ideas and share back to the larger group. Best Practices for Facilitating: Set agenda and ground rules. Know self, respect others. Create inclusion. Stay focused. Get participants doing and testing decisions quickly. Listen actively, be curious. Create open dialogue, dig deep. Debate unintended consequences. Galvanize purpose. Have fun!

To enhance engagement in virtual meetings, implement intentional strategies like setting clear expectations, valuing all attendees' input, and using direct questions. Utilize technology tools such as polls, breakout rooms, and chat functions to encourage participation from everyone. By fostering a collaborative atmosphere and actively involving all participants, virtual meetings can become more interactive and inclusive, minimizing silence and maximizing collective engagement.

Boost psychological safety in meetings with innovative methods like a “Voice of the Meeting” wheel, real-time anonymized feedback boards, silent brainstorming, visual check-ins with emojis, and role-reversal exercises. These tactics create a safe, inclusive environment that encourages open, diverse contributions.

Start creating a space for discussion early on—within the first 5 minutes! This sets the stage for active engagement as a shared expectation. It also provides a quick assessment of participants' comfort level with using technology [cue in your tech person for help!] In the first 5 minutes, you can: (1) Ask participants to post in the chat their name, city, and a fun "get to know you" question (2) Have participants use a reaction to show their mood or level of excitement. (3) Invite a quick poll on a light topic or session-related question to warm up the group and get everyone comfortable interacting.