" 4 Tips to Inclusive " virtual meetings

Are Your Virtual Meetings Inclusive?

" With more of us meeting our colleagues by phone or videoconference than ever before, it’s important that everyone feels connected and included. 

(1) If you’re leading a meeting, start by setting ground rules. Ask everyone to turn off the notifications on their phones and to resist the temptation to multitask. 

(2) Rather than going straight to your agenda items, spend the first five to seven minutes of the meeting checking in with people. Ask everyone, “How are you all doing?,” and make sure everyone has an opportunity to answer. Start with whomever is the newest or most junior, or the person who usually speaks the least. 

(3)And you should open up as well, so that you’re modeling the behavior. 

When you’re wrapping up the meeting, follow up with an email or instant message to ensure that people have heard you and that they’re OK with the outcome. 

(4) You should have multiple touchpoints through various media to continue the trail of conversation.

This tip is adapted from “15 Questions About Remote Work, Answered,” by Tsedal Neeley