Strategies for Driving Team Engagement in Online Conferences for Leaders
In today's hybrid work environment, discussions about RTO (return-to-work) policies are raging, yet the increase in digital communication during work hours is uncontested. Dr. Andrew Brodsky, a management professor at the University of Texas, Austin, argues that leaders can capitalize on this digital shift, using various platforms like text, email, audio, and video, to foster trust, strengthen relationships, and boost team motivation.
Eager to explore his latest book, "Ping," I reached out to Brodsky to delve into four strategies for improving the quality of remote video conversations. Our conversation unfolded over Zoom, fittingly, where we discussed the importance of managing cues and synchronizing communication.
Scientists measure the robustness of communication by focusing on two dimensions: cues (facial expressions, tone, body language, and gestures) and synchronicity (real-time or delayed communication). In-person meetings and presentations hold the highest "richness" score due to their real-time interactions and myriad cues. Video calls fall short due to the fewer and sometimes confusing cues, giving rise to engagement issues.
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For instance, in-person meetings offer the highest level of cues, making conversations more engaging. Video calls score lower due to the absence or ambiguity of these cues. To elevate the impact of remote conversations, Brodsky advises focusing on minute differences.
1. Take thoughtful pauses
Delayed virtual communications can cause interruptions and exacerbate difficulties. In-person meetings provide natural cues to speak, whereas video calls offer minimal or confused cues. Brodsky recommends longer pauses to allow the other person to complete their thoughts without disturbances. Despite common fear, these pauses won't cause awkward silences; instead, they demonstrate active listening and encourage attentiveness.
2. Show engagement
A lower cue environment, like video calls, can make colleagues perceive you as disengaged if you're viewing notes or seemingly distracted. Be upfront about your actions, sharing your intent with others. For example, "I'm jotting down your feedback, Susan. I find it valuable, and I'd like to revisit it before we conclude our meeting."
3. Leverage webcams for rapport, efficiency for productivity
Turning on your webcam helps you engage in the conversation, demonstrating attentiveness and fostering rapport. However, when team productivity is the priority, it's acceptable to switch off your camera. Leaders should set expectations by explicitly communicating their preferences, but remember that the presence of a camera can lead to stress and overload during lengthy video calls.
In known circles or frequent face-to-face encounters, turning off the webcam is acceptable for productivity, while maintaining the webcam on fosters rapport and relationship-building in unfamiliar settings.
4. Set the stage
Given the remote setting's impersonal nature, use it to your advantage by sharing personal interests, which helps establish rapport and trust. Showcase elements that humanize you, like hobbies and interests, during meetings to enrich conversations.
Digital communication tools are here to stay, even among coworkers sitting next to each other in open offices or cubicles. Leverage them strategically to enhance your professional interactions and stand out from the crowd.
- In remote virtual meetings, taking thoughtful pauses can help demonstrate active listening, providing the other person with enough time to complete their thoughts without interruptions, which can be particularly beneficial as delayed communication can cause difficulties.
- In a lower cue environment, like video calls, employees may perceive colleagues as disengaged if they're viewing notes or seemingly distracted. To avoid this, be upfront about your actions and share your intentions with others.
- For rapport and relationship-building, turning on your webcam during video calls can be beneficial as it demonstrates attentiveness and fosters trust. However, when team productivity is prioritized, it's acceptable to switch off the camera, but leaders should set expectations by explicitly communicating their preferences to prevent stress and overload during lengthy video calls.
