How to hold virtual meetings that are dynamic and engaging

Editor’s note: We are re-running the top stories of 2020 as part of our year-end countdown.

Even though we have our struggles with video conference technology (see Tripp and Tyler’s “Video Conference Call in Real Life”), we now long for the cushy desk chair, the hi-res conference room video monitor and in-person connections. For those who have worked from home, it was probably by preference and not by company and government mandate.

What’s happening now is changing the world of work.

Companies who claimed they needed “butts in seats” are getting a first-hand experience of what’s possible virtually. Our remote colleagues used to be the minority on our teams. Now, the precautions around COVID-19 have democratized team meetings. We are all equally dealing with being with our pets, housemates and loved ones in our workspaces. And, we need to give each other a lot of room and permission to do what’s needed to help our homes and ourselves adjust.

As someone who has worked from home (WFH) quite a bit, I’d love to share some tips on how to develop a dynamic and engaging virtual meeting practice when everyone is remote, everyone has distractions, and everyone is dealing with some really heavy stuff right now.

1. Turn on the camera.