Keeping Energy Up During Long Virtual Meetings

Ever notice how some leaders seem to have a sixth sense for meeting dynamics while others plow through their agenda oblivious to glazed eyes, side conversations, or everyone needing several "bio breaks" over the course of an hour? Research tells us executives consider 67% of virtual meetings failures, and a staggering 92% of employees admit to multitasking during meetings. After facilitating hundreds of in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions, I've developed my "6 E's Framework" to transform the abstract concept of "reading the room" into concrete skills anyone can master. (This is exactly what I teach leaders and teams who want to dramatically improve their meeting and presentation effectiveness.) Here's what to look for and what to do: 1. Eye Contact: Notice where people are looking (or not looking). Are they making eye contact with you or staring at their devices? Position yourself strategically, be inclusive with your gaze, and respectfully acknowledge what you observe: "I notice several people checking watches, so I'll pick up the pace." 2. Energy: Feel the vibe - is it friendly, tense, distracted? Conduct quick energy check-ins ("On a scale of 1-10, what's your energy right now?"), pivot to more engaging topics when needed, and don't hesitate to amplify your own energy through voice modulation and expressive gestures. 3. Expectations: Regularly check if you're delivering what people expected. Start with clear objectives, check in throughout ("Am I addressing what you hoped we'd cover?"), and make progress visible by acknowledging completed agenda items. 4. Extraneous Activities: What are people doing besides paying attention? Get curious about side conversations without defensiveness: "I see some of you discussing something - I'd love to address those thoughts." Break up presentations with interactive elements like polls or small group discussions. 5. Explicit Feedback: Listen when someone directly tells you "we're confused" or "this is exactly what we needed." Remember, one vocal participant often represents others' unspoken feelings. Thank people for honest feedback and actively solicit input from quieter participants. 6. Engagement: Monitor who's participating and how. Create varied opportunities for people to engage with you, the content, and each other. Proactively invite (but don't force) participation from those less likely to speak up. I've shared my complete framework in the article in the comments below. In my coaching and workshops with executives and teams worldwide, I've seen these skills transform even the most dysfunctional meeting cultures -- and I'd be thrilled to help your company's speakers and meeting leaders, too. What meeting dynamics challenge do you find most difficult to navigate? I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments! #presentationskills #virualmeetings #engagement

Friends - do you experience Zoom fatigue and wonder how to reduce the 'brain drain'? Interestingly, about 20% of the population are more likely to suffer from . . . . . . almost debilitating side effects from virtual meetings, particularly when the camera is on It's not that you are camera shy You may not have any problem speaking up However, even ONE virtual meeting makes your head feel 'heavy' Chances are you are (a) highly empathetic and maybe even (b) a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) Zoom fatigue is more acute for those people who read others easier and experience more empathy - maybe you can even 'feel' what another person is feeling There is nothing wrong with you It is because your brain is processing more information per second than the average person Basically, your brain is getting more of a workout, espcially when your visual system is engaged 👀 Visual processing takes MUCH more energy than hearing > combine this with the fact that you are trying to process more data from that visual image (or images) . . . It can be exhausting!! Here are some top tips to help reduce the Brain Drain of virtual meetings. 1️⃣ Turn your camera off if it's not required for you to be on camera. 2️⃣ Look away from the screen and simply listen. 3️⃣ Pause periodically to 'feel' yourself in your physical space (it helps draw the brain back in). 4️⃣ If it's a long meeting (and you aren't needed constantly) - take a quick break and step away. 5️⃣ Practice deep, intentional breathing to help draw your mind back to your physical body. Whether you are in virtual meetings or busy working away in front of your computer screen >> breaks are critical for your health and your brain!! My client asked me yesterday: "How many breaks do you need to take in an average working day, anyway? I only take a break for lunch and when I go to the bathroom!" I said: "Your brain looses productivity and efficiency between 45 min - 75 min of activity." 💡 Taking 3 Brain Breaks a day is important! They only need to be for about 10 minutes It's important that you NOT look at your phone ... and do something that doesn't require much thought (Take a quick walk, daydream, stretch, meditate, or just breathe) This will keep you feeling more energized and more productive, even during a busy day! Also a bonus, it helps boost your #mindset and enables you to access your #zoneofgenius easier. Keep thriving!! 😊

Sometimes when I am on the nth video call of the day, I feel the mental fog. heavy eyelids and a struggle to focus... But is virtual meeting fatigue actually real? Turns out, it is Recent neuroscience research confirms that virtual meeting fatigue is a measurable neurological phenomenon. Researchers at MIT attached EEG and ECG devices to measure participants brain and heart activity during meetings. The findings? ➡️ Virtual meetings trigger specific brain activity patterns indicating mental fatigue ➡️ These patterns differ significantly from face-to-face meeting. ➡️ When you can see your own mirror image, brain activity shows greater mental fatigue But with 98% of all meetings now having at least one remote participant, and many of us still attending many hours of virtual meetings daily, we need solutions. So through interviews with 30 professionals from major companies, researchers uncovered strategies that work: Here are three brain friendly meeting strategies for you to try: ➡️ Go audio-only when possible : I now take internal meetings sometimes while standing up or walking. The physical movement offsets mental fatigue and I am more focused without worrying about facial expressions or my background. ➡️ Turn off self-view : This is a game-changer. Constantly seeing yourself is exhausting. Your brain splits attention between the meeting and monitoring how you look. Studies show both men and women feel this equally. To maintain focus, stop constantly checking on yourself during virtual meetings. ➡️ Practice "IT mindfulness: Explore features to adapt platforms to your needs. Play with backgrounds, audience views, and audio settings until you find a setup that feels less draining for you. These suggestions are based on brain science and real experience. What virtual meeting habit will you change this week? Found other strategies that work?