Facilitation Techniques for Hybrid Meetings

Hybrid meetings are the new norm in today’s business world. They bring together the best of both worlds, allowing people to connect in person while also allowing remote attendees to join in. However, with this new type of meeting comes new challenges. Facilitation techniques are key to leading hybrid meetings. In this blog post, we’re going to explore some of the best techniques for facilitating great hybrid meetings.

First, it’s essential to be ready for the technical component of hybrid meetings. This means having a plan for how to use the technology effectively. Even if you have a room that’s set up for hybrid meetings, there can still be issues with sound and vision. It’s essential to have a way to connect the people in the room with the people who are remote. This can be done by having a dedicated person who can assist with the technology, or by becoming more familiar with the technology yourself. A few phones on tripods can make the world of difference for remote participants’ ability to see the faces and expressions of those in the office.

One of the biggest challenges of hybrid meetings is engagement. It’s easy for remote attendees to become disengaged, and it’s also easy for people in the room to not give the same consideration to their remote peers as they do to the people sitting beside them. To combat this, it’s essential to have someone in the room who is an advocate for the remote attendees. This person can ensure that remote attendees are included in the conversation and that their contributions are acknowledged.

Another technique for facilitating great hybrid meetings is to make sure that everyone is on the same page. This means making sure that everyone knows the agenda for the meeting and what the goals of the meeting are. This can be done by having a clear agenda that is shared with everyone in advance, and by opening the meeting by getting agreement on outcomes, how participants can share their input or questions and any speaking order that will be used, e.g. I’ll review the policy and then start with those joining remotely to get your feedback or questions and then come to those in the room.

Finally, it’s essential to get feedback on your meetings. Add time at the end for a quick round robin on what worked and what could be improved for your next meeting.

In conclusion, hybrid meetings bring together the best of both worlds, but they also come with their own set of challenges. By being prepared for the technical component, engaging remote attendees, using breakout rooms, making sure everyone is on the same page, and scheduling the meeting at the right time, you can ensure that your hybrid meetings are a success. With these facilitation techniques in mind, your hybrid meetings will be more engaging and productive for all attendees. So, let’s embrace the hybrid meetings and make the most out of them.