Encourage meaningful participation in your next virtual meeting
[Management Tip of the Day]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h9c2a2875,12a74753,12a74755&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge>
Today’s Tip
Encourage Meaningful Participation in Your Next Virtual Meeting
You’re running a meeting and ask a question, but no one says anything. Crickets. Luckily, in a virtual environment, there are many tools you can use to encourage participation. Next time you’re hoping to get people to speak up in a virtual or hybrid meeting, try these approaches:
* Share your questions ahead of time. If you’re asking people for insight, it’s only fair to give them as much time as possible to think about the problem at hand. Email attendees up to five of the questions you’ll be asking. Place those questions in the meeting agenda and the calendar listing so everyone knows what’s coming and can prepare.
* Ask simple questions in the chat. The key here is simple. Avoid broad questions like “What did you think?” Instead, ask questions that are easy to respond to quickly. Try “What is one word that best describes the product?” or “What is one thing you learned from last week’s event?” Then follow up. You might say, “Kelly, you described the product as innovative. Can you unmute and share why?”
* Avoid shaming. Don’t make your team feel uncomfortable or guilty by saying something like, “Nobody has any questions? Really, nobody?” That increases the chances that you’ll hear relatively meaningless contributions from people who just want to end that awkwardness.
This tip is adapted from “How to Get People to Speak Up in Virtual Meetings<https://hbr.org/2022/01/how-to-get-people-to-speak-up-in-virtual-meetings?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge,”> by Joel Schwartzberg
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Today’s Tip
Encourage Meaningful Participation in Your Next Virtual Meeting
You’re running a meeting and ask a question, but no one says anything. Crickets. Luckily, in a virtual environment, there are many tools you can use to encourage participation. Next time you’re hoping to get people to speak up in a virtual or hybrid meeting, try these approaches:
* Share your questions ahead of time. If you’re asking people for insight, it’s only fair to give them as much time as possible to think about the problem at hand. Email attendees up to five of the questions you’ll be asking. Place those questions in the meeting agenda and the calendar listing so everyone knows what’s coming and can prepare.
* Ask simple questions in the chat. The key here is simple. Avoid broad questions like “What did you think?” Instead, ask questions that are easy to respond to quickly. Try “What is one word that best describes the product?” or “What is one thing you learned from last week’s event?” Then follow up. You might say, “Kelly, you described the product as innovative. Can you unmute and share why?”
* Avoid shaming. Don’t make your team feel uncomfortable or guilty by saying something like, “Nobody has any questions? Really, nobody?” That increases the chances that you’ll hear relatively meaningless contributions from people who just want to end that awkwardness.
This tip is adapted from “How to Get People to Speak Up in Virtual Meetings<https://hbr.org/2022/01/how-to-get-people-to-speak-up-in-virtual-meetings?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge,”> by Joel Schwartzberg
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[https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2022/01/Jan22_20_1130783499.jpg]<https://hbr.org/2022/01/leadership-training-shouldnt-just-be-for-top-performers?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_subarticle&utm_content=signinnudge>
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Leadership Training Shouldn’t Just Be for Top Performers <https://hbr.org/2022/01/leadership-training-shouldnt-just-be-for-top-performers?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_subarticle&utm_content=signinnudge>
by Navio Kwok and Winny Shen
The case for a broader approach to employee development.
Read now <https://hbr.org/2022/01/leadership-training-shouldnt-just-be-for-top-performers?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_subarticle&utm_content=signinnudge>
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Comments & Events
Lisa McHugh,
Assistant Bureau Director, Bureau of Epidemiology
This is a great article. I just encountered this with one of my teams. Before even reading this, I decided to send out emails asking for topics and sending out an agenda in advance in the hope that this prompts some discussion. We are also going to try to have at least 2 folks "share" on the call - something work or personal related as a way to get the team to know each other a little better.
Elizabeth Russo
I liked the idea of using the chat to engage participants. . . . anything that helps w/ engagement during virtual meetings is welcome!
Kathryn Lowerre,
Section Head, Overdose Prevention
Yes, agree with Elizabeth the chat can be really helpful. People who don't always speak up are sometimes more comfortable typing something and---practically speaking, people can add on or provide more specific info. even if the discussion has moved on to the next agenda item (sometimes to all or just to the specific person with the question). And you know who said what. But it does require some bi-focal(?) attention to talk and text. I guess one potential downside is if a couple of folks go off on a private chat exchange and basically check out of the team meeting. Then you have to think about whether to let it go or how to reel them back in---without shaming, of course!
Kathryn Lowerre,
Section Head, Overdose Prevention
I'll also play devil's advocate and say with the right group "What do you think?" can still work in a virtual team meeting if the team is smaller sized and everyone's fairly confident & comfortable speaking. But agree it can be a bad question for a big mixed crowd. Much better after people get to know each other, like Lisa's doing with her team.