Ten ideas to make your next virtual team meeting effective, energetic, and inclusive.
- At the start let everyone check in to test audio and video. “Briefly share the most interesting thing you have done today.”
- Randomize input to engage all participant: “People wearing blue socks today can speak first.”
- Put a picture of everyone who could not attend to ensure inclusion. “Mary is not here today. What would be her perspective?”
- Pause the discussion every 10-15 minutes: “Let’s stop here for a moment to have an opportunity to reflect and discuss.”
- Start the meeting with the question: “What does success of this meeting look like?”
- End the meeting with the question: “What are the next actions?”
- When soliciting ideas, give people at least two minutes of thinking time.
- Actively invite silent participants to give input.
- Avoid looking at yourself when talking.
- Summarize the last speaker’s input before replying.