Make your meetings inclusive
As part of our push for all employees to feel a sense of belonging in the workplace we have created some tips to help you create inclusive meetings.
How can you make your meetings inclusive?
With an increasingly remote workforce we have an opportunity to be more intentional and more inclusive with meetings. The journey of meetings in lockdown perhaps went something like:
· “Pivot to virtual” - make EVERY physical meeting a video meeting; same time, different medium
· Cancel EVERYTHING, how could we possibly progress this project when we’re not physically together?
· Finally a happy medium! Necessary meetings on the right medium, projects progressed in alternative ways
So how do we make those necessary work meetings inclusive?
Here are some tips for you:
+ In person or remote? Just because you are now able to meet physically, doesn’t mean this is always the right option
+ Mix up the medium – video calls are exhausting and inhibitive for the more introverted
+ Ensure a diverse attendee list, diverse representation gives the best results
+ Plan! Set agendas, success criteria and time restrictions and share with attendees in advance
+ Avoid brainstorming during meetings, send discussion points in advance. Brainstorming can bring paralysing nerves to some personality types,
+ Manage the room. As chair of the meeting make sure everyone has a voice and extroverts don’t overpower
+ Be HYPER aware of micro aggressions
+ Create a psychologically safe environment
+ Ask your team!
+ Once you’ve asked your team, create your team meeting norms and follow them
Enter your email to download our Meeting Feedback Form and Meeting Norms Form to use with your team
Did you know we have a Connection, Respect & Belonging Workshop?
Research shows that 60% of people hide parts of their self in the workplace, when they do this they hide their creativity and feel disconnected from colleagues and the organisation. Being on a team with a shared sense of belonging where we feel safe to be our authentic selves encourages greater engagement, innovation and the company thrives. With our course “Connection, Respect and Belonging” we will show why belonging is so important for individuals and the wider organisation, and share tips for all to encourage connections and celebrate uniqueness.