Take 2 - Taking Virtual Facilitation to the Next Level

You are a facilitator and pivoted in 2020 to a virtual environment. And you’re asking yourself:

 “I didn’t choose to be an on-camera actor!?”

You have the basics down in online meetings or presentations, but you know it can be better. Virtual isn’t the same as live - don’t try to recreate that.

When the Lumière brothers invented the movie camera, they regarded their creation as little more than a curious novelty. They called it moving images; their thinking was limited (picture a tree or a train as their first movies). There was no evolution to the new medium.

As a facilitator, this is your time to practice and master the skills that create effective, collaborative and engaging sessions in a virtual setting that results in clear actions for the participants.

Let’s go to that next level virtually and as facilitator: let’s take your skills from good to great in a few hours. 

Section 1: Plan, Plan, Plan

Virtual interaction takes more time to plan than in person interaction

What are the concerns, challenges and decision making of the facilitated session?

Start with an effective and thoughtful opening

Section 2: The Credibility and Trust Moments

Take the ‘ick’ out of icebreakers - when to use them and why

Answering questions are pivotal moments in any session - what do you need to keep the session moving forward, acknowledge and answer the questions and deal with the emotions (yours and theirs) at this time?

Section 3: Body Language

Part of facilitating involves the ability to ‘read the room’

How is this done in a virtual world? Also, tips to make your experience more successful

Stress causes fight or flight - how to recognize and deal with it

Section 4: Connection, Communication, Collaboration and Continuity

Start with the big ideas, then narrow it down

Learn collaborative exercises to use with your teams virtually

Keep the psychological safety to allow dialogue

Section 5: Feedback and Outcome

Part of your role as a facilitator includes providing and accepting feedback

What makes feedback effective and safe?

Leading the session with a clear call to action for participants

Section 6: The Virtual Facilitation

Timing is key

Mastering the pace, pitch and tone of the session

Different ways to use breakouts