Are you struggling to keep your remote meetings interesting and engaging? As the pandemic continues to limit the opportunities for in-person interactions, many employers still use video conferencing as the primary way for staff to connect. But it can be difficult to foster a sense of engagement over a computer screen — especially when team members are thousands of miles apart.
Fortunately, there are some strategies you can use to help make virtual meetings more interactive and engaging. One important tool is applied improvisation — a type of improvisational theater that involves responding quickly and spontaneously to another person’s ideas or suggestions. Applied improv exercises can help foster collaboration, communication, and creativity — essential skills for successful team meetings. Here are three improv techniques you can use to make your virtual meetings more engaging:
1. Be Specific
Improv relies on specificity — encouraging each participant to contribute specific details so everyone has something they can react to and ask questions about. During virtual meetings, this could mean giving teams an opportunity to contribute their own ideas or solutions with lots of detail; for example, instead of asking “How should we solve this issue?” consider breaking down the problem into smaller components (e.g., what resources do we need? How could we go about implementing our solution?) so participants have something more tangible to discuss.
2. Use “Yes, and”
This simple phrase encourages teams to build off one another’s ideas rather than dismissing them outright — a key component of successful collaboration. Encourage team members not only accept one another’s input but also add their own perspectives on top of it using the “yes, and…” technique so conversations stay focused on problem-solving rather than getting bogged down in arguments or debates.
3. Consider Emotion
It can be difficult (or even impossible) for people on opposite sides of the globe to pick up subtle expressions or body language cues during a video call — making it hard for people to truly connect with each other during calls. One way around this is by considering how best express emotion at different points throughout your meeting agenda; like using facial expressions or tone when discussing sensitive topics like budget cuts or layoffs, or lightening the mood by making jokes at appropriate times (but be careful not too let it detract from your overall message!).
By incorporating these improv techniques into your virtual meeting strategy, you can create an environment where collaboration is encouraged and all participants feel comfortable contributing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgement or criticism from peers — ultimately helping create more meaningful conversations that result in better business outcomes overall!
