3 Visual Energizers for Online and In-Person Meetings

Energizers are the glue that keeps your agenda together, especially virtually. Energizers should always have a purpose. One of my closest colleagues Brian Tarallo (Lizard Brain), likes to say that facilitated group energizers serve three purposes:

1. Build connection - Connection is key. When people feel connected to each other, they are more able to focus and engage with the task at hand. Plus, it's fun! We all need a little more play right now. Play, or doing things just for the sake of enjoyment, helps us find new perspectives and generate new thinking, skills that are critical for innovation in our work.
2. Test the technology - Energizers allow participants to test the technology. By un-muting and giving a brief introduction, participants build their confidence in using their video conferencing tool so that when it's critical to speak up, they can.
3. Model the behavior - Lastly, energizers model the behavior participants are about to experience. You don't start a workout in a full sprint. It's the same way for meetings. Use an energizer to prepare participants and get in the right mindset for what they are about to experience. For example, if participants need to brainstorm for a new product, they might first practice making virtual post-it notes because they need that skill to do the brainstorming.

Drawing is a Vulnerable Experience?

For many, drawing, especially in front of others, can be a very vulnerable experience. I'm used to hearing groans and comments like, "but I can only draw a stick figure" when I bring up that we're going to "draw." My colleague Brian gets around some of this by not even using the word drawing but instead saying, "We're going to make marks on the page." This language shift gets people out of the mindset that when you draw, it has to look pretty.

FOR MORE ON HELPING PEOPLE REFRAME THEIR DRAWING ABILITIES, CHECK OUT OUR SO YOU THINK YOU CAN'T DRAW BLOG.

When choosing an energizer, consider the group's comfort level, and match appropriately. What I mean is, if the group suffers from a lot of psychological safety issues, it might be better to offer a visual energizer that requires zero or little drawing. As Brian likes to say, "Stretch the rubber band, but don't break it."?

Keep reading on our blog for three visual energizers, when to use them, and how to introduce and reflect on them for success.