How do you include ALL team members in online facilitation?

1 Choose the right tools

The first step to include all team members in online facilitation is to choose the right tools for communication, collaboration, and feedback. Depending on your team's size, needs, and preferences, you may use different platforms and applications to facilitate online meetings, brainstorming sessions, polls, surveys, and chats. Some of the factors to consider when choosing the right tools are: accessibility, ease of use, functionality, security, and cost. You should also test the tools before using them and provide clear instructions and support to your team members on how to use them effectively.

2 Set clear expectations and norms

The second step to include all team members in online facilitation is to set clear expectations and norms for the online sessions. You should communicate the purpose, agenda, duration, and outcomes of each session, as well as the roles and responsibilities of each team member. You should also establish some ground rules for online etiquette, such as muting your microphone when not speaking, using the chat feature for questions and comments, and respecting different opinions and perspectives. You should also encourage your team members to share their availability, preferences, and challenges for online facilitation, and adapt your approach accordingly.

3 Use interactive and inclusive methods

The third step to include all team members in online facilitation is to use interactive and inclusive methods to engage your team and elicit their input. You should avoid lecturing or dominating the conversation, and instead use a variety of methods to stimulate discussion, collaboration, and creativity. Some of the methods you can use are: icebreakers, check-ins, polls, quizzes, breakout rooms, brainstorming tools, voting tools, feedback tools, and games. You should also ensure that you balance the participation of different team members, and invite them to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences.

4 Provide feedback and recognition

The fourth step to include all team members in online facilitation is to provide feedback and recognition to your team. You should acknowledge their contributions, celebrate their achievements, and appreciate their efforts. You should also solicit feedback from your team on how they feel about the online facilitation process, what they liked, what they disliked, and what they would like to improve. You should use this feedback to refine your online facilitation skills and practices, and to address any issues or concerns that your team may have.

5 Follow up and follow through

The fifth step to include all team members in online facilitation is to follow up and follow through with your team. You should summarize the key points, decisions, and actions from each online session, and share them with your team in a timely manner. You should also assign tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities to each team member, and monitor their progress and performance. You should also provide support, guidance, and resources to your team as they work on their tasks, and check in with them regularly to see how they are doing and if they need any help.

6 Keep learning and improving

The sixth step to include all team members in online facilitation is to keep learning and improving your online facilitation skills and practices. You should seek opportunities to learn from other online facilitators, such as attending webinars, reading blogs, or joining online communities. You should also reflect on your own online facilitation experiences, and identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. You should also ask for feedback from your team, peers, or mentors, and use it to improve your online facilitation style, methods, and tools.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?