After two years of working virtually, some people are headed back into the office. Other professionals: however, wish to remain remote, or limit the time they head into the office.  While the choice provides flexibility for employees, leaders may find hybrid team management a challenge.

Relationships thrive in face-to-face environments, posing a challenge to those who chose to work from home. It’s important for virtual employees to understand workplace influence requires them to show up and invest the extra effort to create organizational impact.

Whether your employees chose to work in-person, virtually, or a mix of both, be transparent by implementing these three action steps to ensure everyone grows their influence.

1. Hybrid is a choice. Your camera is not.

When employees chose to work from home, they miss out on the workplace interactions that shape decisions and grow relationships. To boost their face time, let your team know camera use is expected. Whether they are attending a small group meeting or large team training, the camera must be turned on and at eye level to stay connected and engaged.

2. Work requires a professional working environment.

Messy desks convey messy minds. Few things distract from a message like that of a messy workspace riddled with papers, books, and disorganized backgrounds.

Let employees know you expect their virtual workspaces to demonstrate professionalism.  Wherever they choose to work, the background must be appropriate, clean and organized, while free from noise and interruptions.

3. Dress for the job.

Dress codes convey a message about your business and need to apply no matter the employee’s choice of working environment. If business casual is required of those in the office, virtual employees should dress the same. How you expect employees to look in person is how they should look online.

Having influence requires effort. Setting action steps will ensure your team puts their best foot forward no matter where they choose to work.

Book- Speak Easy: Connect with Every Conversation

Check out our Research on Influence in conjunction with the University of Northern Colorado HERE.

Influence Research

The post 3 Ground Rules When Leading Hybrid Teams first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

It seemed the moment we became comfortable hosting virtual meetings, people began returning to in-person conversations. Now, we must learn to navigate the new world of hybrid meetings while ensuring everyone – in person and virtually – gets the most from their time with us.

If you want participants to get the most from your message, use these three recommendations to host your next hybrid meeting.

The #1 action you can take to help you manage the many elements of leading a hybrid meeting…

1. Assign a moderator.

As a facilitator or leader, there is already a lot to consider: shaping your message on the fly, reading the room, interpreting body language and engaging with participants. Managing the technical aspects of a virtual platform can steal focus from your message.

Ask for help. Assign an in-person attendee to moderate virtual participants to maximize their engagement.

• Empower them to interact and ask questions. If it’s a large group, encourage them to also interact via chat.
• Allow them to interject on behalf of virtual attendees who wish to speak up.
• Ask that they manage the mute button and ensure everyone’s cameras remain on throughout the call.

Everyone understands there is a lot on your plate as the meeting facilitator or leader. Moderators help online participants get as much representation as those physically in the room.

2. Bridge the gap.

In-person meetings come with pre-meeting chit chat, side bar brainstorming and post meeting conversations.  It is in these conversations that relationships are built, and ideas uncovered. Your virtual participants miss out on these crucial conversations, so bridge the gap.

• Log on early so virtual participants are online and in the room as others enter.
• Ask in person participants to share all conversations with the virtual participants instead of carrying on side bar conversations.
• After the meeting, keep the bridge open instead of immediately disconnecting, allowing online participants to remain seen and heard.

3. Follow through.

Even when hybrid meetings are managed well, details can fall through the cracks. Someone may have missed comments and questions occurring online or in-person. It’s up to you to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Send a post-meeting follow up email recapping questions, ideas shared, and plans for moving forward.

Maximize your impact and influence as a hybrid meeting facilitator or leader. Use these recommendations to ensure your in-person and virtual participants, get the most value so that they act on what you have to say.

Podcast: No Stupid Questions

Check out our Research on Influence in conjunction with the University of Northern Colorado HERE.

Influence Research

The post 3 Ways to Be an Influential Hybrid Meeting Host first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..

Nothing costs your influence quite like an ineffective meeting. The introduction our new hybrid workplace challenges what we’ve ever known about meeting facilitation. Many struggle enough hosting in-person meetings, only to find virtual meetings more difficult. Technical mishaps, over-filled calendars and unproductive conversations result in immediate frustration for our listeners. Hybrid meetings add an extra layer of risk as meeting facilitators juggle both in-person and online listeners. Grow your influence by facilitating hybrid meetings like a pro. In 10 simple steps, attendees will trust your meetings are a productive and valuable use of their time.

1. Don’t over invite.

The larger the meeting, the greater the chance mistakes will occur. Hybrid meetings are challenging enough to facilitate. By over-inviting attendees, your listeners will struggle to hear everyone speaking or even participate themselves.

2. Prepare ahead of time.

You never want someone leaving your meeting feeling it was a waste of their time. Take time to prepare your message, no matter the audience. Write down what you need to cover, and in what order. This will keep your thoughts, and the conversation on track.

3. Provide an agenda.

No one appreciates long-running meetings. An agenda will prevent discussions from going down the wrong path, eating valuable time.

4. Keep meetings short.

Everything competes for your listener’s attention, challenging your ability to be heard above the noise. Short meetings encourage listeners to pay close attention while reinforcing the need to keep the conversation on track.

5. Open Zoom early.

Virtual attendees miss the opportunity to make small talk with other meeting attendees, often leaving them feeling like second-class citizens. By opening the Zoom bridge early, you give virtual attendees a chance to engage with others, reinforcing their valued presence.

6. Establish ground rules.

Explain to attendees how you will facilitate the meeting and take questions in both settings. Invite virtual attendees to utilize the online chat platform, then assign an in-person attendee to monitor the questions posted.

7. Leverage technology.

If you are presenting in person, attempt to project the virtual meeting so in-person attendees are reminded of their presence and participation. If a projection screen is not available, set up multiple computers around the table allowing all attendees to connect and engage with each other.

8. Control the conversation.

We’ve all been in meetings where one or two attendees attempt to dominate the conversation. It’s up to you to guide the conversation, ensuring everyone has an opportunity to speak. Interject when interruptions occur. Let the offender know you’ll come back around to their thought as soon as the speaker can finish what they were sharing.

9. Check in.

It is easy for in-person meeting facilitators to forget their virtual attendees. Every few moments, check-in to ensure they can clearly hear and see. Call on them by name, inviting them to contribute to the conversation. This will help everyone feel better connected.

10. End strongly.

Nothing feels as cold and abrupt as attending a virtual call that immediately ends. Allow yourself a few minutes to wrap up your meeting, inviting others to provide final thoughts or questions. Recap the discussion to reinforce what your meeting accomplished.

Each hybrid meeting facilitation provides you the opportunity to grow your influence and build trust among attendees.

Next time you host a hybrid meeting, implement these 10 tips to ensure your listeners time is well spent.

Podcast: The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

Check out our Research on Influence in conjunction with the University of Northern Colorado HERE.

Influence Research

The post 10 Ways to Host Hybrid Meetings Like a Pro first appeared on Stacey Hanke, Inc..