The blame game
Illustration: Jacinta Cubis

The blame game

What do you do when things go wrong in an online meeting?

?? Blame yourself

?? Blame someone else

?? Blame the technology

No matter how familiar we are with online meeting platforms, things will go wrong and mistakes will happen.

The variety of challenges people continue to face is surprising. Everyone who has downloaded my e-book HUM, has shared their biggest challenge with online meetings. They fall into four broad groups.

1.    Purpose

2.    Adjusting to new technology

3.    Communication

4.    Etiquette

Adjusting still feels strange. Even our seasoned crew of regulars were caught by surprise in our monthly session this morning. For some reason, our ability to switch to gallery view had disappeared.

Adjusting to new technology is a bit like getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time and turning on the ignition. You’ve seen it done a thousand times, but you have to experience it yourself to learn how.

We don’t have to know how the car works or how to fix it. But if we want to drive meetings that hum, we need to become proficient and follow the rules so that we can share the road safely with other drivers.. Even though we all learn at different stages and speeds, we should know the basic rules before we get on the road.

Most of the time, we are ‘driving’ online meetings and workshops solo. There won’t be a reliable co-pilot to set everything up for us.

We will still throw up our hands in the face of technological unpredictability, as gremlins will always be with us. But a poor driver cannot always blame their car. Sometimes that might mean knowing when, and how, to call for roadside assistance.

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Get your ??. Download HUM before it gets a price tag. Free to you in August, my birthday month ??. Just click on the link ????

Kevon Cheung

I help you market yourself by spilling untold stories | Educator x Marketer | Big fan of broccoli

4 年

That's true - honestly, even in-person meetings can go wrong as well. Facilitation skills > technology. So the best way to face this is to have back up plans, always!

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Kirk Fisher

Coach, facilitator, teacher and counselling services.

4 年

Great point Jacinta. A poor driver can't blame their car. Sometimes it might mean riding a bike! I had a professor who said, "If you can't say it simply, you don't know it." I think of that and ask, "Do I need to switch to powerpoint? Or a poll? Or padlet? Or can we get there with fewer distractions (and inevitable glitches) by telling a story, or using a whiteboard behind me?

Jacinta Cubis

I facilitate genuine engagement in workshops, meetings and community conversations ???♀? I help you to enhance your facilitation skills, expand your toolkit ?? and get more visual in your workshops ??

4 年

HUM is an illustrated ebook about the problems with online meetings and how to fix them. Get your free copy here https://bit.ly/humebook?

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