Virtual Conversation Skills in Focus: Creating the Context (Part 1)

The virtual realm is hosting such a wide variety of conversations today. From coaching to mentoring to performance management and leadership conversations. Now that creates opportunity but it also creates some interesting nuances for those of us stepping into this work. What are the skills which support a great virtual conversation.

In my latest book, Effective Virtual Conversations, I highlight eight skill areas will put you in the arena or the neighborhood of more masterful virtual conversations. Like anything we need to practice these skills. It’s like a muscle – if we are not using them, it’s easy to lose the skills.

Over the next month or two I’ll be exploring some of the many skills housed in these eight areas. For more on this you may want to check out my January 2018 Community Call, as well as Chapter 3 of Effective Virtual Conversations where I explore these skills more in-depth.

As you step into the new year think about what opportunities you have to keep these skills alive and growing. Just like any skill set, we get better with practice – more fluid in working the technology, more confident in “asking the right question” (although is the ever one right question?).
The skills of a masterful virtual facilitator range from communication, to technical skills to process skills. Today’s blog post is going to explore one area – that being Creating the Context. I liken a great virtual facilitator to being a great host – welcoming people into the conversation. One of the first questions we want to be asking is “how do we create a safe and engaging conversations space?: Some of the key elements are that we need to have trust, safety and connection.

Creating shared expectations is another part of creating the context and the space for a great virtual conversation. Why are we here? What’s important for us to explore in this conversation? What are we wanting to achieve as an outcome from this?
Another piece of creating the context is Managing the Process. What approaches and tools does the virtual facilitator have to keep the conversation “on track”? To help the group make decisions? To help the team create an action plan.
In creating the context for a virtual conversation, virtual facilitators will want to think about questions like:

• What is that environment you want to create?
• What are the things that you're doing to connect people or to orient them for the conversation?
• What else should you keep in mind about the group or team you are working with (this might entail  - what stage are they at in terms of their progression?)
• What is the purpose of the conversation?

Bringing it back to you, think about an upcoming conversation you are going to have virtually. What are the responses to these questions for that particular group? What other questions do you want to think about in terms of creating the context for a great conversation?
Next week, I’ll be back to explore different communication skills masterful virtual facilitators bring.

Have a great week,
Jennifer

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

​Looking to enhance your virtual conversations - Conference calls? Webinars? Virtual coaching work? Pick up a copy of my new book, Effective Virtual Conversations, at Amazon.

​New in 2018 -

The Teams365 Leadership Lab - an annual group for leaders which meets every two weeks throughout 2018. We'll be exploring topics like Emotional Intelligence, Team Management, Coaching Skills. We'll be kicking off on January 26th at 845 am ET online. Download the call schedule here.


For Coaches: The Coaching Biz Growth Lab - a three month group focused on your coaching business growth. We'll be kicking off on February 1st at 3 pm ET for 7 calls over the three months.

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