Running an effective video call
It can feel challenging setting up a large group video call. The good news is that services are designed to handle multiple callers and there are myriad techniques to ensure that everyone feels engaged and involved. For one, unlike on a standard call, the temptation to multitask is far less. After all, colleagues will be able to see each other reaching for their phone or looking across the room.
After getting everyone onto the call, make sure to say hello to each person in turn. Having already shared an agenda via email, it’s a smart move to encourage the use of chat tools within video conferencing to help share thoughts and ask questions, rather than interrupting someone’s flow while they’re talking.
This can also be effective when discussing a particular problem or item. Ask everyone on the call a question and, rather than having each of them give their response using their voice, get them to send their responses via chat during a quick, five minute break. That way, ideas can then be shared by the person chairing the meeting once they have been collated, before being discussed in a group.
The key is to make everyone on the call feel engaged and as if they have something to contribute. The power of body language to boost morale is vital here. A nod or a thumbs-up can be empowering. This makes the call and interaction more transparent and more human.