Telework Policy Developments

When we talk about inclusive cultures we often forget that the way we run meetings can make others feel excluded. Most of us have experienced this at some point. You walk into a meeting ready to contribute... and you’re asked to take the notes instead. You start to make a point... and you’re interrupted before you finish the sentence. No one means to upset you. But when taking up airtime becomes a power game, studies show certain voices are consistently sidelined. (Women are 33% more likely to be interrupted in a meeting according to McKinsey & Company) Research has shown that in group discussions, interruptions are overwhelmingly directed at women, not because of competence, but because of deeply ingrained norms around who is “meant” to speak, lead, and conclude conversations. Deborah Tannen, Professor of Linguistics at Georgetown University, says: “Men tend to speak to determine status. Women tend to speak to build connection.” When meetings reward only one style, we quietly lose insight, creativity, and trust. Over time, some of us may disengage... not because we have nothing to say, but because the room hasn’t made space to hear us. So what can help? A few small design choices can change the entire dynamic of a meeting: 1 - Read the room before you speak. Pause and ask yourself: Am I interrupting for clarity, or just to get airtime? A thought that can wait often lands better when it’s invited. 2 - Remove unnecessary hierarchy. The person at the “head” of the table often sets who feels allowed to speak. Different seating, shared facilitation, or even a change of environment can flatten this without a single rule being announced. 3 - Offer more than one way to contribute. Not everyone processes out loud. Shared docs, chat threads, or follow‑up notes give people space to contribute on their own terms and often surface the most thoughtful ideas. 4 - Always have a host. A clear host is not about control, it’s about care for participants. They hold the agenda, protect the flow, and gently intervene when interruptions happen. This matters even more online. In virtual meetings, one simple tactic helps: wait three seconds after someone stops speaking before you jump in. It feels awkward at first, but that pause often invites in the person who was about to speak and decided not to. A slightly uncomfortable silence is far more productive than a room where only the fastest voices win. Inclusive meetings aren’t about being “nice”. They’re about designing conversations where the best thinking has space to emerge. Tell me, what’s the smallest change you’ve seen make the biggest difference in meetings?

Ever notice how some leaders seem to have a sixth sense for meeting dynamics while others plow through their agenda oblivious to glazed eyes, side conversations, or everyone needing several "bio breaks" over the course of an hour? Research tells us executives consider 67% of virtual meetings failures, and a staggering 92% of employees admit to multitasking during meetings. After facilitating hundreds of in-person, virtual, and hybrid sessions, I've developed my "6 E's Framework" to transform the abstract concept of "reading the room" into concrete skills anyone can master. (This is exactly what I teach leaders and teams who want to dramatically improve their meeting and presentation effectiveness.) Here's what to look for and what to do: 1. Eye Contact: Notice where people are looking (or not looking). Are they making eye contact with you or staring at their devices? Position yourself strategically, be inclusive with your gaze, and respectfully acknowledge what you observe: "I notice several people checking watches, so I'll pick up the pace." 2. Energy: Feel the vibe - is it friendly, tense, distracted? Conduct quick energy check-ins ("On a scale of 1-10, what's your energy right now?"), pivot to more engaging topics when needed, and don't hesitate to amplify your own energy through voice modulation and expressive gestures. 3. Expectations: Regularly check if you're delivering what people expected. Start with clear objectives, check in throughout ("Am I addressing what you hoped we'd cover?"), and make progress visible by acknowledging completed agenda items. 4. Extraneous Activities: What are people doing besides paying attention? Get curious about side conversations without defensiveness: "I see some of you discussing something - I'd love to address those thoughts." Break up presentations with interactive elements like polls or small group discussions. 5. Explicit Feedback: Listen when someone directly tells you "we're confused" or "this is exactly what we needed." Remember, one vocal participant often represents others' unspoken feelings. Thank people for honest feedback and actively solicit input from quieter participants. 6. Engagement: Monitor who's participating and how. Create varied opportunities for people to engage with you, the content, and each other. Proactively invite (but don't force) participation from those less likely to speak up. I've shared my complete framework in the article in the comments below. In my coaching and workshops with executives and teams worldwide, I've seen these skills transform even the most dysfunctional meeting cultures -- and I'd be thrilled to help your company's speakers and meeting leaders, too. What meeting dynamics challenge do you find most difficult to navigate? I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments! #presentationskills #virualmeetings #engagement

I’ve been thinking a lot about the 90 minute virtual meeting paradox. We spend the first 30 minutes on welcoming everyone and introductions, the next 15 on framing, and then a few people share thoughts. Then, just when the conversation gets meaningful, the host abruptly announces "We're out of time!” and throws a few rushed closing thoughts and announcements together. Sound familiar? We crave deep, meaningful, trust-based exchanges in virtual meeting environments that feel both tiring and rushed. It seems like as soon as momentum builds and insights emerge, it’s time to wrap up. Share-outs become a regurgitation of top-level ideas—usually focused on the most soundbite-ready insights and omitting those seeds of ideas that didn’t have time to be explored further. And sometimes, we even cite these meetings as examples of participation in a process, even when that participation is only surface level to check the participation box.  After facilitating and attending hundreds (thousands?) of virtual meetings, I've found four practices that create space for more engagement and depth: 1. Send a thoughtful and focused pre-work prompt at least a few days ahead of time that invites reflection before gathering. When participants arrive having already engaged with the core question(s), it’s much easier to jump right into conversation. Consider who designs these prompts and whose perspectives they center. 2. Replace round-robin introductions with a focused check-in question that directly connects to the meeting's purpose. "What's one tension you're navigating in this work?" for example yields more insight than sharing organizational affiliations. Be mindful of who speaks first and how difference cultural communication styles may influence participation.  3. Structure the agenda with intentionally expanding time blocks—start tight (and facilitate accordingly), and then create more spaciousness as the meeting progresses. This honors the natural rhythm of how trust and dialogue develop, and allows for varying approaches to processing and sharing.  4. Prioritize accessibility and inclusion in every aspect of the meeting. Anticipating and designing for participants needs means you’re thinking about language justice, technology and materials accessibility, neurodivergence, power dynamics, and content framing. Asking “What do you need to fully participate in this meeting?” ahead of time invites participants to share their needs. These meeting suggestions aren’t just about efficiency—they’re about creating spaces where authentic relationships and useful conversations can actually develop. Especially at times when people are exhausted and working hard to manage their own energy, a well-designed meeting can be a welcome space to engage. I’m curious to hear from others: What's your most effective strategy for holding substantive meetings in time-constrained virtual spaces? What meeting structures have you seen that actually work?

“𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭. 𝐌𝐲 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝. 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬.” This was a senior executive, in one of my recent meetings. We reviewed one of his recordings. Technically fine. Strategically sound. Visually unstable. Camera slightly below eye level. Backlight creating shadow. Busy background. Micro delay between expression and speech. Nothing dramatic. Everything cumulative. Trust does not collapse in virtual meetings. It erodes quietly. Here are 10 deeply practical levers most professionals ignore. 𝑬𝒚𝒆 𝑳𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 Your lens should be at eye level, not screen level. Even a small downward angle signals unintentional dominance or carelessness. Use a stand. Measure once. Standardize it. 𝑮𝒂𝒛𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒈𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐 Trust increases when you look into the lens while making key points. Aim for 60 percent lens contact while speaking. Practice this deliberately. Record and review. 𝑩𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒈𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑪𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 Clutter signals mental noise. A neutral wall or intentional minimal setup increases perceived clarity. Audit your background like you would audit a pitch deck. 𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑫𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝑯𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒚 Front lighting improves facial clarity. Shadowed faces reduce warmth. Place a soft light source in front of you at eye height. 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 A shaking camera equals unstable presence. Fix your device. Eliminate chair swiveling and table movement. 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒓𝒐 𝑬𝒙𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 Subtle facial shifts build trust. Use HD resolution and stable internet. Slow your expressions slightly to compensate for lag. 𝑺𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 Frame from mid chest upward. Too close feels intrusive. Too far feels disengaged. 𝑫𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕 On screen, contrast beats luxury. Solid mid tones work better than micro prints. Ensure visual separation from your background. 𝑽𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒚𝒏𝒄 If your facial expression is flat while making a strong claim, trust drops. Align facial engagement with message intensity. 𝑷𝒓𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑷𝒉𝒚𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒕 Two minutes of posture correction. Slow breathing. Relaxed jaw and activated facial muscles. Your nervous system shows before your strategy does. Virtual trust is measurable. Clarity. Stability. Alignment. Warmth. Consistency. If you are leading teams, closing clients, or representing your organization, your screen presence is not cosmetic. It is economic. Would you pass your own visual trust audit? #VirtualPresence #ExecutivePresence #CorporateImage #LeadershipBranding #ImageConsulting #TrustBuilding #ProfessionalImpact #ApoorvaVerma

𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐚𝐲; 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰, 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐎𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 💻 In today’s world, most client meetings happen through a screen. But don’t let the “virtual” part fool you, your appearance, posture, and presence still speak volumes. I’ve seen it countless times: 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬. Here’s the truth: Even when you’re behind a camera, your posture tells your confidence, your grooming signals your professionalism, and your eye contact (yes, through the lens!) builds trust. Think about it, would you want to hire someone who’s slouched, distracted, or appears rushed? Or someone who’s calm, composed, and visually aligned with the message they’re delivering? 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫: ✔️ Sitting upright with shoulders relaxed, not hunched. ✔️ Wearing an outfit that makes you feel confident, not sloppy pajamas (even if no one sees your full outfit!). ✔️ Positioning your camera at eye level so you’re “meeting eyes” not “looking down.” ✔️ Minimizing distractions behind you, clutter can distract or dilute your impact. These non-verbal cues build an invisible bridge between you and your client, even across time zones and bandwidth limits. The bottom line? Your virtual presence is your first impression, your credibility, and your silent agreement to the value you bring. Master this, and you don’t just have meetings, you create meaningful connections. Because in any meeting, virtual or in-person, what you show always matters as much as what you say. #KrittikaSharda #CorporateTraining #Pitch #Meeting

Video Calls: Most people lose before a word is spoken.  Rule #14: Put on pants (seriously) I’m amazed by “seasoned” salespeople’s lack of professionalism in video calls. You are the front line and face of your company. All the small details of how you walk, talk, act, and dress are judged by both potential clients AND your company executives. After many hundreds of hours of video calls, I’ve seen it all. Jeff Bezos said: “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” On video calls… you’re in the room. Here are the rules to gain trust before saying the first word: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐎’𝐬 1. Turn the camera on. Even if the customer’s camera is off, always have yours on. 2. Test your tech 20 minutes before the start time to make sure it’s working. 3. Dress professionally 4. Start the meeting at least 5 minutes early. 5. Look into the camera when speaking or listening. A camera positioned at the center of your screen is best. 6. Get a stand-up desk and stand during the call. You'll come across more confident. 7. Use a real background and make sure it’s clean and neat. When you blur or turn off your background, your customer assumes you have a messy area (whether true or not). 8. If there’s a reason to record the call, do not so it automatically. Wait until everyone is on, then ask if everyone is OK with the recording (AI agents can summarize the call and are less invasive than recording). 9. Clip an external microphone to your shirt. 10. If you need to cough or blow your nose, make sure you hit the mute button. 11. Take good notes. 12. Control the topic and tempo of the meeting. Respect people's time. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐓’𝐬 13 Do other things like text, email, browse the internet, play games. 14. Take the call in your underwear or worse.   15. Have background noise from people, animals, or outside 16. Be late or just in time for the call. 17. Fidget with anything 18. Anything gross like picking your nose (or worse). 19. Use a speakerphone in shared space   20. Outnumber the customer. If they bring 1 person, don’t bring 10.   If you’re traveling for work, it’s OK to take a call in your car. Get a car clip and turn the video on so it shows you in your car driving.  This communicates to both customers and colleagues alike that you’re out working the territory which makes a good impression. It’s also OK to skip a couple of the DO’s if it is an internal meeting with colleagues at your level or below. If you’re speaking to anyone internally above your level, especially with your boss or higher-up executives, it ALL applies and then some. You’re a professional, act like one. What made you cringe on a recent video call? Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost to mentor your network and follow @Jeff Pugliese for more. -

The digital boardroom is often a thicket of sensory noise. We invite people to gather in virtual spaces, but we forget to prepare the soil. We expect a harvest of ideas without considering the environment. I have seen a lack of structure cause brilliant minds to wither. If your meeting requires tracking moving faces, reading a scrolling chat, and watching a dense slide deck all at once, you are not hosting a meeting. You are creating a sensory storm. This is where "Zoom Fatigue" takes root. It is the biological exhaustion of the neurodivergent brain attempting to filter chaos. When the trellis is broken, the vine collapses. Below is The Virtual Inclusion Audit (Part 3). Here are my 11 ways to optimize your virtual classroom, boardroom, or gameroom. Over the last five years I have ran over 100 virtual training events and my TTRPG group just hit our 51st online session. I wish I would've been using these at the beginning. These field-tested shifts reduce friction between your ideas and the nervous systems receiving them. 11 Ways to Cultivate Accessible Virtual Spaces The Pre-Meeting Map ❌ Barrier: Surprise topics exclude those who need time to regulate. ✅ Fix: Send a plain-text agenda 24 hours early. This allows for pre-processing. The Camera Choice ❌ Barrier: Mandatory "Cameras On" causes hyper-vigilance. ✅ Fix: Make cameras optional. This saves energy for processing content. The Chat Discipline ❌ Barrier: Fast-moving chat boxes cause data loss for Dyslexic readers. ✅ Fix: Read chat aloud. This creates a unified audio anchor for the group. The Visual Anchor ❌ Barrier: Unexplained visuals exclude those with visual differences. ✅ Fix: Narrate the slide layout. This builds a shared mental map. The Transition Signal ❌ Barrier: Rapid topic jumps leave some stuck on the previous point. ✅ Fix: Use explicit verbal cues. This resets focus and prevents drift. The Processing Pause ❌ Barrier: Constant talking blocks information storage. ✅ Fix: Schedule "silent minutes." This enables deeper synthesis. The Sensory Buffer ❌ Barrier: Background noise creates Auditory Overload. ✅ Fix: Strict "mute" rule. This protects the primary signal. The Recorded Legacy ❌ Barrier: "Live-only" sessions exclude those with Brain Fog. ✅ Fix: Provide a searchable transcript. This creates a permanent resource. The Question Queue ❌ Barrier: Shouted Q&A rewards the loudest voices. ✅ Fix: A hand-raise system. This ensures the best ideas surface. The Caption Default ❌ Barrier: Asking for captions creates a "disclosure burden." ✅ Fix: Enable captions by default. This aids universal comprehension. The Collaborative Canvas ❌ Barrier: Verbal-only modes ignore those who process through writing. ✅ Fix: Use shared docs. This captures a diverse range of perspectives. The Verdict: A quiet garden grows best. Stop over-stimulating your team and start pacing. #InclusiveEducation #VirtualLearning #Neurodiversity #Leadership #Accessibility

93% of communication impact comes from nonverbal cues. In our virtual-first world, your nonverbal signals speak volumes about your leadership. After analyzing hundreds of executive interviews, I've identified 8 nonverbal signals that dramatically impact trust in virtual meetings: 1. Open Palms Visible hand gestures with open palms signal honesty and openness.   ✅ According to anthropological research, showing palms has been a universal trust signal across cultures for millennia. 2. Eye Contact Looking directly at the camera when making key points creates connection.   ✅ Most leaders look at faces on screen instead, missing this critical trust signal. 3. Head Nodding Deliberate nodding while listening demonstrates active engagement. ✅ This small gesture signals respect for others' ideas. 4. Upright Posture Sitting tall with shoulders back conveys confidence and attention. ✅ Poor posture subtly communicates disinterest. 5. Authentic Background A personal yet professional environment signals transparency. ✅ Research suggests artificial backgrounds can create psychological distance. 6. Facial Animation Natural expressions that match your content demonstrate genuine engagement. ✅ Flat expressions create disconnect. 7. Frontal Orientation Facing the camera directly communicates full presence and attention. ✅ Angled positioning suggests divided focus. 8. Mirroring Subtly matching others' pace and tone creates unconscious rapport. ✅ This established psychological principle works even through screens. The most successful leaders don't just focus on what they say. They strategically manage how they appear. Which of these trust signals could you strengthen in your next virtual meeting?

𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧. Leaders this one’s for you. If your team spans geographies, your meetings are either: → A competitive advantage → Or a weekly energy drain Most virtual meetings feel like a checkbox. Cameras off. Multitasking on. Engagement…gone. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s how to run virtual meetings your team actually looks forward to: 1️⃣ 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 Don’t “hope” for engagement—design for it. → Clear agenda (sent ahead of time) → Defined roles (facilitator, note-taker, timekeeper) → Pre-reads if needed Clarity eliminates confusion before you even begin. 2️⃣ 𝐎𝐰𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡...𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 Nothing kills momentum faster than friction. → Pick one primary platform and master it → Test screen share, audio, and breakout rooms beforehand → Have a backup plan (dial-in, second host, etc.) Confidence in the tool = confidence in the meeting. 3️⃣ 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 (𝐲𝐞𝐬… 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫) You don’t need to mandate, just explain the why. → Cameras on = presence, connection, accountability → Cameras off = acceptable when needed, not the default I am guilty of this one too, but never used to be... 4️⃣ 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 “𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧-𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲” 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐩 If people can multitask… they will. Build engagement every 5–7 minutes: → Direct questions (“John, what are you seeing in your market?”) → Polls or quick votes → Round-robin updates → Chat responses Participation isn’t random, it’s engineered. 5️⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 Remote teams don’t lack productivity… they lack connection. → Start with a quick check-in (win, challenge, or even a 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐣𝐨𝐤𝐞) - Corny dad jokes are my go-to! → Recognize someone on the team → Celebrate progress, not just results People don’t engage with meetings. They engage with people. 6️⃣ 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞, 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 Your job isn’t to talk more. It’s to get more out of others. → Guide the conversation → Pull in quieter voices → Redirect when needed A great meeting isn’t led by volume. It’s led by intention. 7️⃣ 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 If people leave unsure… the meeting failed. → Summarize key decisions → Assign clear action items (who, what, when) → Confirm next steps Clarity drives execution. 8️⃣ 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧 Start on time. End on time. If you consistently run over… The goal isn’t to run more meetings. It’s to run meetings that actually move the business forward. And when done right? Your team doesn’t dread them. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. Want more like this in your feed? ➡️ Engage ➡️ Go to Matt Antonucci 🔔 Follow for actionable leadership lessons that build better teams.

As leaders, it’s easy to focus on the voices we hear in the room - but what about those we don’t? Remote workers, introverts, neurodivergent team members, and those in different time zones or cultural contexts can face unique challenges that make it difficult for them to feel fully engaged or valued in meetings. Small shifts in how we communicate can make a big difference in making everyone feel included and heard. Here are a few things these team members wish leaders would say - and things they hope we avoid during meetings: ✅ “I understand we’re not all in the same room, so if anyone has thoughts after the meeting, feel free to share them via email or chat.” ↳ This allows remote workers, introverts, and neurodivergent team members to contribute after they’ve had time to process. Virtual meetings can feel rushed, and this opens the door for more thoughtful responses. ✅ “We’ll be discussing XYZ in our next meeting - please take time to prepare.” ↳ Advance notice helps remote workers (especially across time zones) and introverts, who appreciate time to prepare their thoughts, to contribute more meaningfully. I highly recommend this for all meetings, as it allows for better preparation and leads to more impactful and productive conversations. ✅ “Let’s make room for those who haven’t had a chance to speak yet - remote or on-site.” ↳ Virtual attendees, introverts, and neurodivergent team members often find it harder to speak up. Creating space for them specifically encourages participation and ensures they feel included. ✅ "If you prefer sharing your thoughts in writing or after the meeting, feel free to send them via chat or email." ↳ This provides a comfortable option for those who prefer written communication or need extra time to reflect on their responses. ❌ “Oh, I didn’t see you there - anything to add?” ↳ Remote workers and introverts can feel sidelined when their presence isn’t acknowledged from the start. Casual remarks like this can feel dismissive or like an afterthought. ❌ “You should really turn your camera on - it’s important for participation.” ↳ While face-to-face communication is valuable, it’s crucial to respect personal boundaries. For many remote workers, introverts, or neurodivergent team members, camera-off doesn’t equal disengagement. ❌ “Let’s do a quick icebreaker!” ↳ Impromptu personal sharing can feel even more daunting for remote workers and introverts, who may already feel distanced or pressured to connect virtually. ❌ "Since we’re all here..." ↳ Assuming that “everyone” is present, especially in a global team, can unintentionally exclude those unable to attend due to time zone differences or personal constraints. Let’s create a culture where remote workers, introverts, neurodivergent individuals, and team members from all backgrounds feel just as valued as those in the office or those with louder voices. Inclusive leadership bridges that gap! #leadership #companyculture #remotework