Hints for Keeping Employees Engaged During Remote Meetings
When it’s 3 p.m. on a Friday and you have a remote meeting scheduled with your team, how do you keep them from mentally checking out ahead of time? While that may be the most challenging time to maintain your employees’ attention, it can be difficult under the best of circumstances to keep everyone on a remote call actively engaged. Unlike a meeting in person, holding a teams’ attention on a remote call requires some specific strategies.
Have an Agenda and Goal
If you’ve scheduled a remote meeting to check in on a project, but you don’t have an agenda or a goal, your meeting is likely to go off topic and accomplish very little. Ahead of any remote meeting, put together an agenda and a goal for the call. This will help keep your team focused and will prevent the meeting from degenerating into pointless chit-chat or a re-hash of previously covered points. Be clear and concise regarding expecations upfront.
Call on People Individually
When you’re the facilitator, call on people individually to ask for feedback or a response. Many people are uncomfortable on remote video calls and they may hesitate to speak up or participate, but you can alleviate that situation by asking them for their input. If your team knows they may be called upon to contribute to the conversation, they’re more likely to stay engaged.
Watch the Time
Few things are as frustrating as a meeting that has gone well over the time limit. When you set aside time for a meeting, respect the time. If you’re about to go over, give the group the opportunity to finish up or to continue the meeting at another date and time.
Know Your Audience
Always be conscious of your audience. How does each person like to be treated? Do that.
Working with Crosworks will give you the knowledge and skills to lead meetings effectively. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.