The Permanence of Virtual Engagement (and Why that’s Not a Bad Thing)

One of my favorite things about facilitation is that no two facilitators are alike. We come from a million different backgrounds and can tap into an equal number of approaches to help guide groups to success. Inevitably we bring our unique talents and personalities into facilitated spaces - crafting agendas and activities that let groups flourish. 

However, we do have something in common: we spend an awful lot of time in ‘observation mode’ - taking steps back to better understand our environment. We use this skill to read the room, gauge the needs of our participants, and adapt on the fly.  

Almost two years ago, when our collective way of life was turned on its head, I felt like I was in constant observation mode. Like many facilitators, I found myself dipping my toes into unfamiliar territory: the world of virtual facilitation. While it didn’t feel completely foreign to me, adjusting to working exclusively virtually was a process of continual trial and error. I had my way of doing things! And some of that just didn’t translate well into a remote space. Joining the Impact by Design team gave me the opportunity to step back and observe their collective ‘we’ve got this’ attitude, and the team’s confidence - and even excitement - around engaging groups remotely was infectious. 

Flashforward to today and...how many Zoom meetings have I led? I don’t dare try to keep count. How many amazing tools have innovative facilitators created for online spaces? How many times has virtual facilitation - or just facilitation - felt successful? 

I’m happy to report that the last number is a large one.  Over time I’ve come to realize my personal indicators for successful virtual facilitation largely mirror IbD’s organizational values, and carrying those values into remote spaces benefits everyone involved.

What does the future of facilitation look like? 

I envision a future in which working remotely enhances in-person engagement. Whether it be part of the planning process or a post-workshop debrief, most facilitators have worked virtually in the past to some extent. And now entire industries - from the educational system to top companies -  have shifted their way of working to accommodate for more remote work. Let’s embrace the fact that it’s not going anywhere and continue to find ways to effectively engage groups in this space.  

You likely have another Zoom meeting to get to, so I’ll wrap up with this: facilitators take stock of their surroundings and suggest pathways forward. That’s part of the value we bring to groups, and one reason why I no longer think of ‘virtual’ facilitation as something separate from what’s long been our normal.

Of course, someday down the line our way of working will be turned upside down again. But like always, we as facilitators will be there to step back, observe, and adapt. 

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This article was written as part of Impact by Design’s celebration of #FacilitationWeek 2021. If you are interested in learning more about engaging groups effectively in virtual spaces, check out our Tips & Techniques for Great Remote Workshops training!