How to Get People to Speak Up in Virtual Meetings

It’s been almost 2 years since almost everyone has had to participate in virtual meetings. We’ve gotten better at it, but if you lead or facillitate virtual meetings, you may still struggle with getting people to speak up. A recent Harvard Business Review article, How to Get People to Speak up in Virtual Meetings, has some very useful tips, which I will outline below (but do read the article–it’s so helpful!):

1. Share Your Questions Ahead of Time
2. Establish Rules that Encourage Participation 
   • Brainstorming ideas/not debating
   • Ask participants to keep contributions brief
   • Ask participants turn on cameras if comfortable doing so (being seen increase the likelihood of participation)
3. Ask Simple Questions in Chat (yes/no or 1 word or number answers)
4. Follow Up on Those Questions (Call people by name and repeat their contribution)
5. Be Clear About What You’re Asking For
6. Don’t Shame Attendees
7. Count Away the Silence (silently counting 5-7 seconds)
8. It’s a Conversation, Not an Interview

In addition to those tips, I would add: USE PEOPLE’S NAMES
Welcome people by name. Call on people by name, to answer a question, comment, or add to a discussion. Start with people you know who are open to sharing, to build trust. Make sure you start out with their name before you ask the question so that you don’t catch them off-guard. Thank them by name for speaking up.

For even more ideas, or to add to the discussion, check out this LinkedIn Post by Felicia Hou, Associate News Editor, LinkedIn News.