Encouraging Active Participation in Virtual Calls

“Our director wrote an email saying it was one of the best virtual meetings he’s attended recently.” As online events go, this one was big. A content-heavy day with 130+ participants from GIZ Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, incredible speakers, and complex topics on AI’s role in development work. A dream project—but also a challenge to keep the audience engaged. When faced with a packed agenda full of speaker presentations, my goal is always to turn the audience into active participants. Dialogue, not monologue, is key. Here’s how we made it work with a group this size: 1️⃣ Start with the audience. We kicked off with a Mentimeter poll to understand the group’s knowledge, hopes, and concerns around AI. It set the tone and ensured the content stayed relevant. 2️⃣ Check-in after every speaker. Instead of moving to Q&A, we asked the group questions like: “What’s your main takeaway?”. This gave everyone a voice and surfaced key insights. 3️⃣ Design for interaction. In speaker briefings, I encouraged presenters to pause every 5-10 minutes and engage the audience with their content. Simple questions like “On a scale of 1-5, how likely is…” invited participation without disrupting the flow. 4️⃣ Create micro-moments. We wove in playful activities to relax minds and spark creativity, like co-creating a song about GIZ’s work with AI tools. These moments helped the group engage with the topic in a fresh, unexpected way. When you approach a content-heavy day with dialogue in mind, even large online events feel engaging and energizing. A big thank you to the incredible team Binasa, Florian, Bastian and Aida from GIZ Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro for their collaboration, and to Masters in Moderation for connecting me with such inspiring clients. What’s your go-to strategy for keeping large virtual groups engaged? #AI #EventFacilitation #Engagement #VirtualEvents

You better be prepared in advance!!! Mastering virtual meetings has become essential in our evolving remote and hybrid work environments. I've transitioned from feeling wooden and awkward to leading over 1,000 productive virtual meetings. I have learned some key important steps that can help everyone Here are some key strategies that have transformed my approach 𝘽𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ▶︎ Define a Clear Agenda: ➟ Outline the meeting’s purpose and outcomes. ➟ Share the agenda and pre-work in advance. ➟ Highlight key points and time allocations. ➟ Include necessary background materials. ▶︎ Check Your Technology: ➟ Log in early to test your mic and camera. ➟ Ensure a stable internet connection and have a backup device. ➟ Familiarize yourself with platform features. ➟ Have a troubleshooting plan. ▶︎ Prepare Yourself: ➟ Choose a quiet, well-lit space with a professional background. ➟ Keep necessary documents or presentations handy. ➟ Prepare an icebreaker or welcome message. 𝘿𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ▶︎ Show Your Human Side: ➟ Start with introductions or a check-in. ➟ Keep your camera on to build rapport. ➟ Share a personal anecdote or engaging question. ➟ Be mindful of cultural differences and time zones. ▶︎ Establish a Protocol: ➟ Set speaking ground rules (e.g., raise-hand icon, chat function). ➟ Encourage participation for a collaborative environment. ➟ Assign roles if necessary (e.g., note-taker, timekeeper). ➟ Use interactive tools like polls or whiteboards. ▶︎ Structure Your Thoughts: ➟ Use mental pauses and structured talking points. ➟ Apply the “tweet followed by a Facebook post” method. ➟ Summarize key points periodically. ➟ Encourage questions and feedback. 𝘼𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ▶︎ Share Next Steps: ➟ Send a summary of key points and action items promptly. ➟ Include deadlines and responsible parties. ➟ Provide additional resources or follow-up materials. ➟ Schedule follow-up meetings if necessary. ▶︎ Practice Self-Reflection: ➟ Reflect on what went well and what didn’t. ➟ Seek feedback from participants. ➟ Review the meeting recording if available. ➟ Set personal goals for improving virtual meeting leadership. 𝘽𝙤𝙣𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙥𝙨: ➟ Encourage chat use for questions and comments. ➟ Speak at around 180 words per minute for clarity. ➟ Use visuals and slides sparingly. ➟ Take regular breaks during long meetings. You can transform your virtual meetings into productive and engaging sessions that drive your team's success. Remember, taking effective meetings is a skill that takes time and practice to master. Keep refining your approach, and you'll see meaningful improvements in your team's collaboration and productivity. Let's connect and share more insights on mastering the art of virtual meetings! #VirtualMeetings #drminalchaudhry #drmeinalchaudhry #aakashhealthcare    LinkedIn News India —--------- For more valuable content, follow me, Dr. Minal Chaudhry (Meinal).

Noticing too much silence and a lack of engagement during your weekly team calls? As a leader in the fast-paced e-commerce world, having your team on board and actively participating in discussions is critical. But what if your team members seem disengaged? Like you drop a question or 5, and all of them are met with silence? I've seen that this lack of engagement doesn't just lower the team spirit; it directly impacts collaboration and, ultimately, the results your team can deliver. It's a negative cycle that make meetings more and more awkward 😬 Here's a proactive strategy I use with my clients to turn those quiet calls around: Start by setting the stage before each meeting. 👉 Inform everyone about the objectives, the agenda, and key topics for discussion well in advance. 👉 Encourage team members to prepare their thoughts or answers to a handful of important questions related to the meeting's objectives. 👉 Call out names during the meeting who you'd like to share their thoughts with the team on the call. This preparation drives them from passive listeners to active contributors. Team members come more ready to engage, share ideas, and collaborate, and ultimately, a more productive team environment. How do you encourage active participation in your team meetings? What techniques have you found effective in engaging quieter team members? Eager to hear your strategies and successes! 👇 Best wishes, Leon. ________________________________ 🔔 Follow for daily content on improving your Leadership and Organization

Last week I mentioned implementing programs like "Food for Thought" to encourage brainstorming and outside-the-box thinking, as it relates to creating a culture of communication and feedback. Before the pandemic, I used to bring in breakfast, lunch or an afternoon snack and call the meeting Food for Thought where I would get feedback from the team on what is going well and what are the opportunities for improvement. Here are some ideas to incorporate this in a #hybridworkforce: ✅ Virtual Coffee Chats: Schedule virtual coffee sessions where team members can gather online and have casual conversations. This informal setting encourages open discussions and allows for sharing ideas and feedback. ✅ Collaborative Document Sharing/ Online Idea Forums: Utilize collaborative document-sharing tools such as Google Docs or Microsoft Teams to encourage real-time collaboration. Team members can contribute their ideas, provide feedback, and collectively work on projects or problem-solving tasks. ✅ Virtual Brainstorming Sessions: Conduct virtual brainstorming sessions using video conferencing tools. Facilitate interactive discussions where team members can share their ideas and engage in creative problem-solving exercises. ✅ Surveys and Polls: Use online survey tools to gather feedback from team members on specific topics or projects. Surveys can be anonymous to ensure open and honest responses, and the results can be shared and discussed during team meetings. ✅ Virtual Team Building Activities: Organize virtual team-building activities that encourage collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving. These activities can include virtual escape rooms, online trivia games, or team challenges that promote communication and thinking outside the box. Remember, the key is to provide opportunities for active participation and engagement, regardless of the physical location of team members. By embracing technology and fostering a culture of open communication, you can create a collaborative environment conducive to generating new ideas and seeking feedback. Which idea do you like the most? #hybridsales #communication #culture #hybridwork