Want to Increase your IMPACT? Here's How.

Just wrapped up a "Communicate for IMPACT" cohort for a corporate client. In our final session, each participant shared a tactical takeaway and an emotional takeaway.

An intriguing trend emerged.

These leaders appreciated the tactical tips on how to:

1) Keep it CLEAR

2) Keep it CONCISE

3) Keep it COMPELLING

4) Keep it CONFIDENT

5) Keep it CONVINCING

6) Keep it ACTIONABLE.

And what they really welcomed were the weekly opportunities to connect face-to-face with their "remote" colleagues.

Everyone mentioned how much they looked forward to this safe space where they could talk about what was going on in their job, and get support and suggestions from peers who understood what they're going through.

One said, "Normally, I have to figure this stuff out on my own. I love working from home, but it can be really isolating. It was great getting to know my peers and being part of a community."

Several said they're going to start including "breakout sessions" in some of their own meetings as a result of experiencing how good it felt to have a voice and feel seen and heard.

There is a knack to hosting effective breakout rooms though.

If you set them up clearly and purposefully, they can be a bottom-line ROI.

If they're NOT set up well, they can be a disaster and a waste of everyone's time.

Here's what we did to set up two-way interaction that added value for everyone on the call.

1. Announce up front there will be a break-out session - when and to discuss what - so people can be mentally prepared instead of being blind-sided.
2. Give clear, step-by-step instructions with metrics and time-limits. Chances are, you've been put in breakout sessions where everyone just looks at each askance because they weren't told who's supposed to go first and what they're supposed to talk about.

a. Clarify the size of the group, e.g., "There will be 3 of you in each breakout room.

b. Clarify how much time each person gets, e.g., "Each of you gets 3 minutes."

c. Clarify who will go first, "Whoever has the shortest hair goes first, and serves as moderator and timekeeper and keeps everyone on track."

d. Clarify the topic, e.g., "Each person shares a win from the past week and your #1 work priority this week - whether that's a client meeting, a sales goal, a proposal to your boss."

e. Clarify if the moderator is to report out. If so, say, "Please select one person who will share one thing with our entire group you think we need to know - and/or would like to know."

Are the virtual meetings in your organization well-run - or a bore, snore, or chore?

Are people logging on from different departments, states, countries?

Are cameras off? Are people only half-listening because they're doing other tasks and/or because they're in different time zones and it's 10 o'clock at night or 6 am in the morning?

Is the same person in charge all the time and they just plow through reports and problems?

Are there opportunities to share good news - what's going on outside the office - so people connect as human beings and get to know/like each other personally, not just professionally?

If you want to move up the career ladder and position yourself for promotions/project leads, get known as someone who runs efficient, two-way meetings where everyone has a voice.

In a workplace where, according to Forbes, "86% of employees don't feel appreciated," be the leader who gives them a voice and meaningful chances to connect and contribute.

It's a personal and professional win for you - and for all involved.

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Want to host a "Communicate for Impact" cohort for your organization? Contact us so we can discus your goals, customize a program that exceeds your needs, and get on Sam's calendar.