During the interactive book launch at HUONE Helsinki, business professionals shared valuable takeaways on the quality of face-to-face meetings in today’s hybrid working environment. The morning’s discussion revolved around meeting design and provided actionable tips for leaders interested in creating more effective and engaging meetings. Read Eric’s guest blog to find out more.
Guest blog by Eric de Groot
HUONE Helsinki, the early morning of March 15th, 2023. A group of meeting professionals gathered to take a deep dive into an intriguing meeting design question. The room resonates with the group’s intentions, exactly how HUONE has designed it: Oversized-room. Meaning that we will analyze the meeting practices in the whole of Finland, with this intimate group only. But why not? I am here to celebrate the release of our new book: ‘Meetings, by Default or by Design’. The new book helps to unleash the power of well-designed face-to-face meetings. And I can’t wait to guide the group into the program that we have designed for them.
The opening exercise instantly creates that wonderful vibe of a face-to-face encounter. Slightly uncomfortable at first, but quickly changed into the gentle warmth of people willing to share their thoughts and feelings. Analyzing what happened during the exercise, the attendees reach an unmistakable conclusion: now that we have remote meetings, face-to-face meetings need to fulfill their duty: facilitate emotional contact and genuine connection. Remote meetings will never do that. Maybe between just two people, in an intense ZOOM conversation, yes. However, in a remote meeting, a group of people will never feel connected with that magic entity: a group.
To design effective and engaging meetings, the new book can help. Here are three ideas from 40 chapters of the book:
3 useful ideas for designing quality meetings:
- Offer guided networking. If not, you will miss out on all those who do not feel comfortable with random encounters with strangers.
- Cut down on the time spent on one-directional presentations. People can consume them at home. Invest in time to do group work, explorations, and experiments.
- Take moderation seriously. Not everyone can lead a meeting in an energetic, inclusive, and respectful way.
A personal observation? “We are introverts” I am hearing so often in Finland. Let me challenge that. Being an introvert is saying something about your personality. I met many Fins that are extroverts but have learned not to speak out in a group. To make speaking out acceptable and productive, formats can help.
Eric
Eric De Groot is an internationally recognised pioneer in Meeting Design. Thanks to his background in drama, he takes a broad, human perspective to meetings and meeting processes. Eric conducts workshops and training sessions for professionals in the meeting industry worldwide. He is also the co-author of the book “Into the Heart of Meetings”.
The book launch in HUONE Helsinki was part of a series of small-scale book launches around the world, to celebrate the publication of “Meetings, by Default or by Design.” These book launches examine the new role of face-to-face meetings in light of the post-pandemic balance of meeting delivery channels.