Curiosity is the fuel for connection and engagement…

In part 3 we continue our discussion on how we, as leaders of a virtual workshop or meeting, can have a constructive impact on engagement. To consciously build engagement, we need to actively foster curiosity in others as the fuel for connection and engagement.

Firstly, this depends on how we show up as role models of the behaviour we expect our participants to have. How we walk our talk, as that is the behaviour that people will eventually emulate.  Starting with listening and presence, if we lead or facilitate a meeting, we need to create and keep the space for people to be able to start and finish speaking their thoughts, as well as create the space for less talkative people to participate fully and contribute. 

Secondly, what specific questions we ask and especially how we ask, directly influences curiosity. We cover for example, specific questions that can be used to help achieve this. Crucial is that we as facilitators need to effectively role model all the behaviours we expect from participants! Following up on contributions with deepening questions also helps to foster and deepen curiosity. When discussions become intense or defensive it is even more challenging to maintain the right level of curiosity instead of resorting to attack and defence.

Finally, we focus is on the biggest biggest challenges we face to building real engagement - dealing with the elephant in the room - which we all, too often, prefer to ignore. It is just as important, but much more difficult to address than in a physical room, due to the challenges of virtual communication.