The rise of Clubhouse, the audio-based social media app, has been nothing short of meteoric. However, amidst the buzz, we’ve all stumbled into rooms that can only be described as chaotic, poorly moderated, and, let’s face it, awful meetings. So, what can we learn from these experiences to ensure our virtual meetings don’t mirror the same fate? Let’s dive in.
1. Set Clear Agendas
We’ve all joined a Clubhouse room that sounded interesting, only to find the conversation meandering aimlessly. Similarly, in remote meetings, a clear agenda is crucial. It outlines the meeting’s purpose, the topics to be discussed, and what outcomes are expected. This helps keep the meeting focused and ensures all participants are on the same page.
2. Time Management
Endless Clubhouse rooms, with discussions stretching into the wee hours, offer a critical lesson about the importance of time management. Respect your team’s time by setting and adhering to a meeting duration. Use timers if necessary and ensure all agenda points are covered within the allocated time.
3. Strong Moderation
The best Clubhouse rooms have strong moderators. In virtual meetings, the role of the meeting facilitator is crucial. They must guide the conversation, ensure everyone has a chance to speak, manage time, and address any conflict or miscommunication.
4. Avoid Overcrowding
Clubhouse rooms can become a nightmare when too many people are talking at once. The same goes for virtual meetings. Limit the number of participants to those directly involved or affected by the discussion points. Large meetings can be segmented into smaller, more focused discussions to ensure productivity.
5. Encourage Participation, But Don’t Force It
Clubhouse’s ‘hand raise’ feature is a good practice for encouraging participation. In your meetings, create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their ideas or concerns. However, don’t force participation. Some members might prefer to contribute in other ways, such as follow-up emails or one-on-one discussions.
6. Be Inclusive
Clubhouse has been criticized for lack of inclusivity in some rooms. In your meetings, ensure everyone feels valued and heard. Acknowledge cultural and time-zone differences, provide opportunities for quiet voices to be heard, and promote respectful dialogue.
7. Follow-up Actions
Clubhouse rooms often end abruptly with no clear takeaways. After your meeting, provide a summary of key points discussed, decisions made, and follow-up actions required. This ensures everyone knows their responsibilities post-meeting and the conversation’s outcomes don’t get lost.
While Clubhouse can offer valuable insights and connections, it also provides lessons on what not to do when conducting meetings. By taking these lessons to heart, you can ensure your remote meetings are effective, productive, and engaging, not a chaos of voices where no real work gets done.
At Complish, we’re dedicated to exploring the nuances of remote and hybrid work. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies to help you navigate this evolving landscape successfully.