S02E05 The Connection Before Content Episode

Check-In Question:

• Is there any value in buying paper dictionaries anymore? Do you think paper books will die within our lifetimes?

Big Ideas:

• Creating connection in virtual spaces
• Importance of taking time and not having an agenda or expectations
• Who we are as people as opposed to who we are in our roles
• Skills needed in virtual space are different
• How am I different in person versus virtually?
• Knowing how we are in different spaces
• Better listeners in different spaces - virtual versus in person
• Having agreements around virtual spaces to keep people engaged and less distracted
• Virtual spaces equalize people based on height
• How people uses spaces (stages) to have power
• Virtual world changes how people perceive us
• Hide self-view, or keep it open - limit distractions or boost confidence
• Move people so they are below the camera
• Looking at screen versus looking at the camera
• meaning making and generative conversations
• the importance of engagements
• generative and transformative conversations
• Does lack of trust have to do with the importance of talking about engagement online?
• Check-In questions leads to improved engagement
• Invite people into meeting
• Preparation for the workshop is part of the workshop
• Are we allowing transition time? Where is the liminal space? 
• Create transition time or buffer into the time with people
• Time to integrate what just happened before launch into the next
• Check-out with application, reflection time
• Space to continue the conversation between time we meet (Miro, Jamboard, group chats.)
• Successful workshops live or die by engagement levels
• Design for connection before content
• Online reveals design flaws
• Connection brings engagement
• Agree on ground rules (practices, agreements.)
• Define where an organization is comfortable working in the space - meet people where they are 
• Activities:
  • Hi By Name - supports being seen
  • Virtual Charades - 
  • Virtual Tour - give a tour of your virtual space
  • Special of the Week - what are you most focused on this week?

Resources Mentioned:

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown
• From Physical Place to Virtual Space by Gwen Sterling-Wilkie
• Rituals for Virtual Meetings by Glenn Fjardo and Kursat Özenç

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