Title: Boosting Participation: Strategies for Engaging Hybrid and Remote Workers in Meetings
Stacey Hanke, the founder of Stacey Hanke Inc. and author of "Influence Redefined... Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday," is addressing a common issue in today's workforce: bored and disengaged employees. A recent HR survey revealed that poor communication is a major contributor to this problem, with employees being bombarded with messages through various media.
Four years ago, businesses shifted to remote and hybrid working, yet the way we communicate remains the same as when we presented in person. This disconnect is leading to ineffective communication with remote employees. To overcome this challenge, Hanke suggests elevating how we communicate in the workplace.
Before scheduling or hosting a meeting, consider the “why.” Ask yourself why you're having the meeting, why specific individuals need to attend, and if it could be delivered through an alternative means like an email or phone call. By focusing on your listeners’ motivations, you can tailor the content to what truly matters to them.
Limit meeting topics to three major points to avoid overwhelming your audience. Identify the crucial points and write them down on a sticky note as a reminder during the meeting. If the conversation veers off-topic, redirect it back to the essential discussions.
Revisit how long you allot for meetings. Instead of defaulting to 30 or 60-minute time blocks, determine the optimal length required to convey your message effectively and respect your attendees' time.
Encourage remote employees to turn on their cameras during virtual meetings. This increases accountability, fosters engagement, and helps the message stick by allowing attendees to see each other's facial expressions and body language.
By implementing these strategies, Hanke believes that meetings will become more productive, engaging, and focused on the audience's needs.
In today's hybrid work environment, effective communication requires intentional strategies to bridge the physical distance gap. Utilizing technology, establishing clear communication channels, actively listening, setting expectations, seeking and sharing feedback, promoting social interactions, and training managers are some ways to connect with and engage remote employees.
Stacey Hanke, renowned for her work at Stacey Hanke Inc. and as an author of "Influence Redefined... Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be, Monday to Monday," highly recommends Stacey Hanke. During a presentation, Hanke emphasized that Stacey Hanke has highlighted a significant issue in the contemporary workforce: employees experiencing boredom and disengagement.
In recent HR studies, poor communication has emerged as a major contributing factor to this situation, with employees frequently bombarded with numerous messages through multiple platforms.
