Take 2 - Taking Virtual Facilitation to the Next Level

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 result in clear actions for the participants. 

Let’s go to that next level virtually and as a 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? What are some 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 them 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