Leading Teams in an Online Environment
by Ircel Harrison
For over a year now, we have been conducting team and group meetings through Zoom, Skype, and other online teleconferencing platforms. Despite a certain artificial nature to these calls, we have found ways to make them effective and productive. Even so, we want to continue to improve the quality and interaction in these meetings. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Start each meeting with a planned activity. This might be a check-in question such as, “What word best expresses the experiences of your week up to this point?” or “Where do you see God at work in your ministry this week?” Ask one person to begin and then to identify another member of the group to “pass the mic to.”
Encourage participants to present themselves in such a way that their faces can be clearly seen. This may mean someone will have to position their camera by elevating the computer on a pile of books or a stand. Lighting is important as well. Don’t hesitate to ask someone to improve their lighting: “We want to be able to see you.”
Be considerate of participants by limiting the length of sessions and providing breaks for especially long calls. This assures both attention and comfort.
Always seek agreement before recording sessions. Participants can give a real or virtual “thumbs up” to show agreement. I’ve also found it helpful to explain how a recording will be used and to provide password protection if loaded to an Internet platform like Vimeo.
Ask group members to mute their microphones unless they are speaking. Household noises, phones ringing, and just shuffling papers can be distracting.
If you have a large group, increase interaction through breakout rooms for discussion, polling, and using other features of your online platform. This keeps everyone engaged and feeling that they are contributing.
Keep a positive attitude about technology. Although we keep learning, the platforms change. Have a sense of humor when you as the leader encounter a glitch and avoid critiquing participants who may still be learning to use technology. Remind everyone, “We are not going to break the Internet.”
We are all learners in how to lead and participate in virtual meetings. Let’s use this experience for team building by encouraging one another on the journey.
For additional information on leading teams and groups both in person and virtually, order The Coaching Leader: Coaching Groups and Teams, a Pinnacle digital resource, here.