How do you interrupt and refocus a conversation on Zoom?

All group discussions need a facilitator — otherwise they’ll inevitably go off the rails. And performing that function on Zoom can be a completely different ball game than doing so in person. There are a whole host of different tools at your disposal, as my guest, Better Conversations founder CEO Simon Coles, shared:

 

“In Zoom you can set yourself up with a flip chart and write the person’s contribution down…flip charts are a pain in the neck logistically, but writing people’s thoughts down makes them feel heard.”

 

The chat box also creates extra room to guide the conversation without outright cutting off another speaker.

 

“I really appreciate the chat box,” says Grand Canyon University professor Dr. Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman. “You can start to steer the ship beforehand and give them a heads up that you’re going to switch topics."

 

There are, of course, headaches on Zoom as well. For example, if someone has joined on their phone, they won’t be able to see the other speakers and will miss their body language and real-time reactions. To make a Zoom conversation flow well, the same principles apply as those of any conversation. My guest, dementia prevention coach Alexi Bracy, puts it clearly and succinctly: “Show empathy.”

 

How do you interrupt someone who is going on too long or in an unnecessary direction on Zoom?

 

Connect with the panelists:
Dr. Rhonda Bompensa-Zimmerman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rhonda-bompensa-zimmerman-138aa3b/

Alexi Bracey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexi-bracey-34935a7/

Simon Coles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjcoles/

Dr Robyn Odegaard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/

 

Want a summary of the Quick Hits I post every week, plus the links to the LinkedIn pages of each of the panelist to show up in your in-box every week? Just let me know where to send it: https://drrobynodegaard.com/quick-hits-notifications/

 

#QuickHits are designed to exercise your brain by letting you listen in on an unscripted conversation to get other people's thoughts on pertinent subjects. If you would like to join a conversation or have a topic you would like to hear discussed, please message me. https://www.DrRobynOdegaard.com

 

#Zoom #Interrupting #BetterConversations