Help! I'm alone on Zoom and they're all in a real room together...
One of the most challenging tasks for a facilitator is when your participants are in a room together and you are?the only person on Zoom.?
This is always going to feel like a tough assignment. You’re at a disadvantage when you’re the only person not present. But it’s not impossible: like Banquo at Macbeth’s dinner party, you can make an impact as the ghost at the feast.
The participants will have to put in extra effort to give you their attention across the internet. So you have to earn it - and sustain it - with your most commanding, fluent and engaging tactics.
Start by telling them something that they don't know.?Often, sharing?a relevant personal story?will raise your status?and keep them curious.
When you are online and they are in a room together, you need the organiser to set you up to be as visible and audible as possible. How big a?screen?can they provide??And, while we're talking technology, you need to?see them?too. Otherwise you've lost all the usual means of telling how it's going and being able to adjust accordingly.
If you can keep it brief, that will help. Give them a task to do together, and let them show you their results.?
What are your ideas for handling this particular challenge??
Learn more about handling tricky situations with our forthcoming?Inspirational Facilitator?online course (starting Tuesday 28th February). This?practical programme offers you all the tips and techniques you need to be a more confident and creative facilitator, both face-to-face and online.??
We sell GREAT tools for engagement and collaboration, globally. Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine game and the Square Wheels images.
1 年Use the right tools and generate the right processes. Clear expectations and desired outcomes, along with small groups processing things of interest. The real challenge is giving them the above but not even being there! ??
Founder
1 年Thanks for these tips and exploring this frontier, Paul Z Jackson, David and jeanne. One thing I’m considering in workshop design is to try including periods where everyone joins me in the virtual space. Some part of debriefing or Q & A. Is any trying this?
Facilitator l Speaker l Author dedicated to improving workplace engagement. Founder, Quality Service Marketing. Certified facilitator, LEGO? SERIOUS PLAY?
1 年These are most helpful tips, Paul. As you share here (and in your teaching) facilitators need both engaging techniques AND the appropriate technology ("to be as visible and audible as possible") to be effective.
Extending Invitations to Experience and Engage with Who and What Matters to You
1 年Well said Paul. I liked your Shakespearean nudge of being like "Banquo at Macbeth’s dinner party, you can make an impact as the ghost at the feast." I find that acknowledging the obvious situation is key, especially when my acknowledgement is in the form of humour that resonates with the audience.