Virtual Facilitation

Challenges

1. Attention

2. Interaction

3. Nonverbal Communication

5 Golden Rules

1. Structure & Orientation

2. Interaction

3. Visualisation

4. Breaks

5. Preparation is everything

Digital Rhetoric

1. Virtual Background

If possible don’t use virtual backgrounds. Virtual backgrounds communicate that you hide something and cannot be trusted. Looking at a number of different virtual backgrounds in meetings increases the Zoom fatigue. Use something in the background that tells something about you. Notice things in the background which you can use to connect with each other.

2. Eye Contact

Make sure that you have eye contact. It helps to move the window with the participants right below the webcam. Adjust the webcam so that one hand fits between your head and the upper edge of the picture. Have good light from both sides.

3. Your Hands

Where are your hands? Your hands should more or less not move. It helps to put your wrists at the edge of your desk. If you want to use your hands make sure you stand and people can see the upper half of your body. It is important to use any gesture slowly and purposeful.

4. Clothing

Wearing black, white or intensive patterns should be avoided. Black is awkward. White is too bright. Intensive patterns appear twitchy.

5. Speech

Use main clauses as much as possible. It is important to keep the fluency. Rhetorical pauses are difficult. It's important to hear the punctuation marks.