Environmental managers have become quite adept at digital consultation and remote participation. Yet, it proves difficult to truly connect with stakeholders. Those coffee breaks during meetings, informal chats beforehand, or walking together to lunch or the train station; it's often in those "shadow moments" that you gain a clear insight into what's really going on. How do you create more connection in an online world?

Dare to choose new ways of working

Online collaboration doesn't have to be a copy of what you'd do in a room. There are countless ways to intentionally seek connection. This can be a standalone part of a meeting – exciting and almost always effective – but also through the content (see this list for example, whether the newsletter from this club). Breakout rooms (parallel sessions) are already very popular for getting creative and fostering more connection. In some software, you can now let participants switch breakout rooms themselves, a sort of networking conference mode. Zoom is very strong when it comes to easily facilitating music and video. In Teams, you currently have theater mode, which allows for more interaction and non-verbal communication. The growth of possibilities continues unabated. Whichever medium you use, focus on the opportunities it offers and try to minimize its disadvantages as much as possible.

2. Make a conscious choice for multiple channels 

Video calls from home are more informal than in a conference room, but not by much. Dropping in via a video call (instead of at someone's desk) is still not common. In any case, coffee breaks and hallway chats are nowhere to be found. Unless you use multiple channels: calling, texting, and (sometimes) emailing, precisely before and just after that important meeting. Many stakeholders at the table? Call a different party each time, prioritizing those you don't yet have a very good rapport with. If you really want to make the conversation as informal as possible, move on to point 3.

3. Put on your hiking boots 

Taking calls during a short walk outside has a few major advantages. Unless you're crossing a busy intersection, you're oddly often less distracted than indoors (because you don't have a screen in front of you) and therefore listen better to the other person. Walking also promotes creativity. Mentioning that you're going for a walk makes the conversation immediately (even) more informal. Meeting while walking is therefore also on the rise. Of course, you still prefer to do this in person together, and site managers who are often on location outdoors have it easy in that regard. But even without the excuse of a site visit, you can still step out for a good conversation.

Director

Stefan Szepesi