Leading the virtual call- 3 tips to keep your team engaged
Exceptional times like these can give managers and team leads the opportunity to step outside their comfort zone to engage their team in new and dynamic ways. These tips go against the grain when it comes to the norms we’ve set for the typical conference call. As more collaboration moves from in-person to online and more teams are connecting through screens, here are some ideas for leveling up your team’s engagement during your next call.
Frame the call: As the team leader acknowledge COVID-19 and the impact it is having on the team. This goes a long way in demonstrating leadership by not “stepping over” or avoiding something that is in our world and affecting us daily. State the purpose of the call “We’re here to…... This is important because….” This anchors team members in the shared purpose of your work together and helps them focus on the contribution they can make right now, even when faced with uncertainty.
Actively check in and out: First get everyone’s voice in the “room” by having each person announce themselves. Then, lead team members in getting and staying present on the call by asking them to check-in. Here’s one way to do that- it’s quick and to the point. Ask team members to think to themselves…”At this moment are you a red, yellow, or green light. Red means you are totally distracted, yellow means that you are half here and half distracted, green means that you are fully present.” Ask team members to notice where they are and suggest they take a minute to make any adjustments they need to become more present. Close each meeting by requesting each team member comes off mute to say goodbye.
Invite voices and faces into the “room:” For meetings of 12 or fewer people encourage team members to be ON video and OFF mute. I know this goes against the common teleconferencing rules. What I think is important about this is that it encourages inclusivity and engagement by setting the stage for everyone to contribute. This is awkward at first but over time teams become attuned to one another and with active listening, can anticipate when it’s a good time to jump in and share their ideas. Use video- especially for meetings with 12 or fewer people. We need to be face to face. Encourage that everyone uses the gallery/Brady Bunch view on the platform you are using.