Virtual Connections

As we roll into summer, one thing is clear … the pandemic is still here (thanks - we get it, feel free to go now!)

Video meetings have become commonplace and will likely forever remain a part of our professional fabric.

Despite the prevalence of remote meetings, it can be challenging to feel genuinely connected to your team.

So how can we create community virtually?

Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering, offers these tips to help you lighten the mood and engage with others.

1. How you open or arrive at a meeting matters. Consider creating an opening slide that welcomes people into the virtual room. A simple “Thanks for being here!” coupled with music or photos of the team goes a long way in making people feel more comfortable.
2. Pose a (personal) question. Asking participants to speak up in the early part of the meeting is a subtle invitation to feel more comfortable as a contributor. Plus, without the benefit of pre-meeting small talk, we miss out on the details of our co-workers’ lives
3. Encourage people to unmute themselves. It may feel counterintuitive as you get into the brass tacks but allowing people to be heard – their laughter or even a sneeze – can offer personality to the meeting. You can position a moderator to mute a participant’s incessant dog barking. Bending the rules of the past will create normalcy and comfort in this new paradigm.

As always, please share what’s worked for you. I’d love to hear your methods for how to ease the awkwardness of virtual meetings!

P.S. Curious about how to adapt your eye contact, body language, and energy in a virtual environment? Speak Up, Dammit! chapters 2-5 cover best practices.