This recent demand that we all become online participants and facilitators has many rewards and challenges. There is a different intention to our interaction and our time together. Our learning environment has become more isolated and independent, regardless of a...
Help Me, I’m an Extrovert
Ever since Susan Cain’s Ted talk and book, Quiet: Being an Introvert in a World that Just Can’t Stop Talking, I have become more attentive to introverts in my meetings, learning events, and other gatherings.
Expecting the Unexpected
When my kids were very young, I would take them with me to run errands. They’d say, “Momma, what’s our plan today?” with excitement in their voices. They wondered what our adventure to town would include! I would list things such as stopping at the post office, the...
Trust Your Design
In mid-March, the Tax Equity team at the International Budget Partnership was faced with a dilemma - continue planning a two-day convening of researchers, staff, and civil society scheduled for May or take it completely online. Like many organizations in the face of...
Using PowerPoint as a Learning Tool
As of late, PowerPoint has gotten a bad rap ... at least we think so. In many cases, this is for good reason. However, we are too easily lured in by slick technology with tons of bells and whistles. PowerPoint can be used in all sorts of different ways to enhance...
Let’s Make Better Use of the Chat Box
The Chat box is highly underrated. All meeting spaces have this feature, but it is not often used. And even more rarely, explored. Here are some great reasons to use the Chat box: to invite in all voices Rarely does everyone have a voice in a session (in-person or...
Silence to Think and Re-energize
Many people are afraid of sitting in silence with a group in a Zoom room. Don't be afraid. Silence can be extremely helpful and needed if timed well. Here are reasons to design for silence: to give people time to think to make space for off-screen work before coming...
A Surprising Lesson with Deep Insights
Last week my friend Paula Berardinelli came to my home to drive me to a doctor’s appointment. I asked if we could put my walker in her car. She agreed and reached down to fold the walker into a tight package. I was amazed! “I had no idea how to do that!” Paula laughed...
Gratitude is Like Oxygen
Gratitude can be wonderfully affirming, surprisingly life-giving, noticeably motivating, and importantly respectful. Human beings need gratitude. However, many of us need to learn to give and receive it. In these times of increased isolation and speed of work, Global...
Miro as a Digital Whiteboard
One of my teams started using Miro as a digital whiteboard, and I was really excited to be able to use the "sticky notes" (term used by Miro) function to brainstorm and sort ideas like we’ve done with Post-it notes in-person. Once we tried it out, it became clear...
Start with the Heart: A Warm-Up to Consider
I could never have imagined I would start a meeting with personal images of joy…But I did!
Showing up with Openness and Authenticity
For a variety of reasons, social contact with friends and extended family, neighbors and co-workers has been limited because of the global pandemic. Many folks have wisely heeded all the public health recommendations by wearing masks, practicing physical distancing,...