Can you feel group energy in virtual meetings?

As Leadership Coach my goal is to deliver an immersive and impactful learning experience whenever and wherever I conduct a workshop – be it face-to-face or virtual.

So, when anyone asks me about the format I prefer, it’s a difficult question to answer. In fact, it’s a lot like being asked to choose between two favorite desserts!

Of course, unlike dessert, there are pros and cons to both workshop formats. During the pandemic, my workshops were held virtually. No surprise there. The advantage of the online format is that workshops are more predictable. One can at best remove a slide or two but by and large the planned flow must be adhered to.

The challenge is to keep the participants engaged – something that can be done with exercises, interactive breakout room sessions, and opinion polls. Participants’ focus is normally higher, as there are fewer distractions in a virtual format and people can’t simply wander off.

The virtual format also works well in terms of time management and content flow. One must keep to the schedule and there is little or no spill over. That said, virtual workshops don’t have some very important elements that workshops per se thrive on - like spontaneous interaction and higher levels of energy, which happen better in person.

Now that things are slowly getting back to the way they were, I am back to conducting in person workshops and I’m happy to share my experience with you.

The topmost aspect of such workshops is the spontaneity – being able to take questions, walk around the room, have an actual conversation rather than calling out people who wish to speak by turn or have them raise emoji hands. By which time the spontaneity is lost.

The second biggest aspect is absorbing the energy of the group. Every group has different energy levels – some are focussed, calm, and so quiet you could even hear a pin drop, and then at other times, the group is boisterous, charged, and conversations are heated. As a team coach group energy is one of the most rewarding things to experience and to work with.

Then you have fluidity with content changes that can be made on the fly. If the groups go into a different direction than as planned, it is easy to skip, add, modify material, or even introduce unplanned content from my large portfolio – because that is what the moment demands. When it’s an online workshop, juggling unplanned content and technology at the same time can be a challenge. Additionally, in face-to-face programs you have different means in the room plus your own body language to leverage and inspire.

So, coming back to the question of virtual vs. face to face, I’ll say that they are both good in their own ways and very different experiences. And if I had to choose, I’d say, “Bring it on, whatever be the format.” Nothing like having both of your favorite desserts, isn’t it?