{"id":46073,"date":"2021-01-08T00:50:46","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T08:50:46","guid":{"rendered":"\/us\/en\/blog\/?p=46073"},"modified":"2024-07-25T22:36:29","modified_gmt":"2024-07-26T05:36:29","slug":"4-ways-to-improve-unproductive-hybrid-meetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/us\/en\/blog\/4-ways-to-improve-unproductive-hybrid-meetings\/","title":{"rendered":"4 ways to improve unproductive hybrid meetings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever dial into a team meeting when nearly everyone else is there in person? It\u2019s hard to get a word in edgewise and even harder to present ideas. Until recently, we didn\u2019t have the word \u201chybrid\u201d to characterize these meetings, we just knew they were often a problem for those working remotely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Work-from-anywhere often means meet-from-everywhere, and now hybrid meetings, with many off-site participants, can quickly become counterproductive if not managed properly. Communications and collaboration platforms can help level the playing field for everyone, but other tactics must change as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Optimizing hybrid meetings<\/b><\/h2>\n

Here are four ways to make an immediate impact on the quality and productivity of your high-tech team\u2019s hybrid meetings.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Mobility matters<\/b><\/h5>\n

Mobile communication apps need to be just as good, if not better than, the web or desktop versions. This grants equal access to mobile participants, helping improve their engagement.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Cut video fatigue<\/b><\/h5>\n

When collaborating or even chatting, use video strategically rather than automatically. If camera time doesn\u2019t add immediate value, don\u2019t require it, and use team messaging both synchronously (in real-time) and asynchronously as a follow-up and continuation.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Build engagement<\/b><\/h5>\n

The meeting leader must actively mediate, engage attendees, and encourage remote participation.<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Less is more<\/b><\/h5>\n

Consider sharing group or individual updates on a team messaging board rather than reading them aloud during a hybrid meeting. Save the meeting for strategic discussions or briefings that can\u2019t be done any other way.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meeting mindfully<\/b><\/h3>\n

Research shows that most of us spend about 3x more hours in meetings now than we were prior to the pandemic. Undoubtedly, that makes it harder to get work done during office hours. That\u2019s one reason why many of us are forced to multitask, which of course dilutes our attention and diminishes what we can both give and receive during a meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elise Keith, author of <\/span>Where the Action Is: The Meetings That Make or Break Your Organization<\/span><\/i>, contends that multitasking has to stop.<\/span><\/p>\n

You cannot have a meeting of minds when most of the minds are not in the meeting.1<\/sup><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sounds logical, but trying to enforce a ground rule of no multitasking during a hybrid meeting is next to impossible. A skillful meeting leader must try to keep participants engaged\u2014and there\u2019s an art to that. Keith, the meeting expert, recommends asking everyone to participate. Group sign-up sheets and shared docs allow everyone to weigh in or volunteer for projects as needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

For some workers, simply taking a respite from meetings may help them to deal with workplace stress. A Harris poll sponsored by Microsoft in August found that 70% of people believe that meditation could help decrease their work-related stress2<\/sup><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Working smarter<\/b><\/h3>\n

Another way to improve meeting performance and reduce workplace stress is by working smarter. For instance:<\/span><\/p>\n