Thanks for those of you who joined me for the Effective Virtual Conversations Launch Call on July 31st, the day Effective Virtual Conversations launched. During this 30 minute call I walked through the new book, highlighting what you can expect. It's more than 400 pages of tips and ideas for those who are leading webinars, conference calls, virtual team meetings and any other virtual conversation event.

You can view the launch call here if you missed it, and if you want to keep posted with all our upcoming calls, please visit the Community Call page. In the spirit of learning, these calls this summer and fall are open to anyone who would like to drop in.

My next August call will be held on  Monday August 14th between 11 - 11:30 am ET/Toronto. All calls are held on Zoom. Calls will focus in on different topics related to virtual events. More details and a downloadable call schedule can be found at the EVC Community Call page.

Enjoy!
Jennifer

​Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
Phone: (416)996-8326

​Connect with us to be the first to know more about launch events around my newest book - Effective Virtual Conversations

Twice a month this fall I am hosting a series of virtual calls to introduce my new book, Effective Virtual Conversations, and the concepts behind it. Whether you are leading webinars, conference calls, or virtual team meetings, there is always something new we can pick up! You can find my upcoming call schedule at our Community Calls page, I hope that you will join me live for one of them.

​My first call in August was entitled "4 Ways to Move the Needle on Engagement". Many virtual events suffer from what I call "Death by Conference Call". In this 30 minute call, I explore four different ways you can zip up your next virtual conversation. You can access the recording of the call at our Community Calls page. Which of these four engagement strategies will boost the learning and engagement for your groups.

​If you have ideas for topics you'd like covered in future calls or emails, please let me know by email.

​I've just held the 3rd community call on Selecting Your Virtual Platform - questions to consider, and will be hosting our next call on Monday September 11th. I hope that you will join me live for that call. You can download the upcoming calls list here.

Enjoy!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | EffectiveVirtualConversations
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Follow us on Twitter @jennbritton
Phone: (416)996-8326

Do you have questions about virtual facilitation? Looking to book a some time with me. Check out current openings and a summer special where you can "pick my brain" for a 45 minute call. Click here to book.​

I've been sharing different tips on Effective Virtual Conversations from my new book over at my sister blog, Teams365 (for Leaders) for a few months now, and I am bringing some of my favorites over to this new blog. One of the things that you may notice if you've been working with groups or teams for a while is your ability to be like a Chameleon. This is especially true when working as a virtual conversationalist and leading different virtual events, especially given that the geographic range of the members you may be working with can potentially be larger than when we work in-person. In connecting with people of varying styles and preferences, it can be very important for us to become aware of the biases and preferences we bring, and how that can help, and hinder a conversation. With time our ability to become more of a chameleon, adapting our approaches in service to the groups and teams work  with, can become a definer of who we are.

Here's what I wrote a few weeks ago in EVC Tip #5 - 

On page 100 of my upcoming book, Effective Virtual Conversations, I write "As virtual facilitators we may become chameleon-like over time, as we look to adapt and adjust our styles and approaches for different contexts".

Hopefully, as we gain experience with different groups and different platforms we learn from each experience. Being able to be fluid and adaptable with our approaches is critical for this work, in order to meet the needs of diverse groups and teams.

This week consider these questions:
1. How would you describe your natural facilitation/leadership styles?
2. How would your groups/teams/clients describe your natural style?
3. What are your biases? (i.e. what's your natural style even if it's not in service to the group you are working with?)
4. What style might be more in service to the people you are working with?
5.  What is a stretch point for you?
6. What does chameleon-like mean for you?
7. When have you been fluid in your approaches? What impact has it had?

​I hope that you will take a few minutes to reflect on these questions and think about your work and upcoming conversations.

​If you haven't checked out the recent calls I have started doing on Effective Virtual Conversations, you can check them out here, along with the upcoming call schedule. Hope that you will drop in and join me live!

​Have a great week,
Jennifer

​Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | EffectiveVirtualConversations
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Follow us on Twitter @jennbritton
Phone: (416)996-8326

Do you have questions about virtual facilitation? Looking to book a some time with me. Check out current openings and a summer special where you can "pick my brain" for a 45 minute call. Click here to book.

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In today's blog post I wanted to share with you one of the Virtual Facilitation Tips I have been posting on Mondays for the last few weeks over at my sister blog for leaders, the Teams365 blog. 

​The  tip I am sharing today is Tip #3 - the importance of  creating trust, safety and connection in the virtual space. Without connection in the virtual space it is more likely that people will become more disengaged or they may multi-task. Similar to having "skin in the game" a peer conversation when we feel connected calls on us to contribute, as long as we feel safe to do so. As I expand in the book, the notion of "safety" groups and teams is being further validated by research.

​Here's what I wrote a few weeks ago in Tip #3:

Effective Virtual Conversation Tip #3: Creating More Connection to Build Safety in Virtual Conversation Spaces
“Trust and connection are essential for creating a ‘safe’ space for conversations” – Jennifer Britton, Effective Virtual Conversations pp 95

Today’s Effective Virtual Conversation quote comes from page 95 of my new book. Just as with any in-person group or team process, trust and connection are essential for people to move into dialogue. The same holds true when you work with groups and teams virtually – in meetings, as virtual teams or in conference calls. What are the things you can do to create more connection and trust in your virtual space?
This week we will look at building more connection in your calls, and next Monday, at how to create more trust between, and with, participants. These two elements are critical for creating the safe space for an engaged call.

Five ways you may want to consider to build more connection in your virtual spaces are:

• Breakouts
• Video Streaming
• Pre-calls
• Buddies/Peer Partners
• Introductions

Let’s take a look at a couple of these – breakouts and introductions -  in greater depth:
Breakouts – Today’s default in a lot of virtual events is “let me talk to you because it’s easier”. This is often where we lose people and they become disengaged. Using breakouts are an important way to get people connected with each other and sharing with each other. Check to see if your platform provides the ability to use breakouts, and have people move into smaller pairings of 2, 3 or 4. Some possible approaches to use when working with breakouts are:

1. Provide small groups with a question to explore or share around for 7 – 10 minutes. For example if you are working with new team leaders the question might be “What’s the most important resource you have tapped into this week to help you with your work?”. Adjust your questions accordingly.
2. Have groups generate a list of solutions to the biggest challenge the team is facing

 
Introductions can start before the event. This goes hand in hand with expectations. Let people know what they can expect around interactivity, particularly if you are planning to be more interactive. Introductions can involve:
A short pre-email sent out prior to your meeting sharing who you are, what you do, any goals they have and what’s important about the conversation. This can also be done verbally at the start of the program as well.
Introductions can also involve breakouts where two people introduce themselves to each other, and then the partner introduces them to the larger group. This can help especially if people are more shy to share personal details about themselves.

Introductions and connections with you, the facilitator, is also important. Consider how you will be connecting with people prior to the program  - in writing and verbally.

​As I go to close off today's EVC Tip - what are the steps you can undertake to boost more trust and connection in your work? Chapter 1 of Effective Virtual Conversations goes more into the TRIAD of virtual learning and how to foster trust, connection and safety.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Effective Virtual Conversations | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365 (Leadership/Team Issues) or @jennbritton (Coaching/Facilitation)
Phone: (416)996-8326

​Join me on Monday August 7th for our next Community Call at 11 am ET. Download the call schedule for our summer and fall launch (2 calls per month - no cost other than your time and connection charges!).
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