Mindset Matters: How to Improve Your Virtual Facilitation Style

Mindset Matters
How to Improve Your
Virtual Facilitation Style
© 2021 Clay & Associates Inc./NetSpeed Learning Solutions

netspeedlearning.com
Session Objectives
• Describe six virtual facilitation styles and their related strengths
• Avoid the weaknesses of each of the six styles
• Enhance your online facilitation style to create
greater engagement and connection
© 2021 Clay & Associates Inc./NetSpeed Learning Solutions 2

Introduction
• Cynthia Clay, President/CEO, NetSpeed Learning
• Author of Great Webinars: Interactive Learning
that is Captivating, Informative, and Fun
• Work with our clients to build thriving virtual
workplaces and stellar virtual learning

Your Style
Select two words that best describe your virtual facilitation style.

Mindset
• “The established set of attitudes held by
someone”
• What mindset has best supported your
move to facilitated virtual learning?

Six Virtual Facilitation Styles
The
Technology
Guru
The Airplane
Pilot
The Guide on
the Side
The News
Anchor
The Energizer
Bunny
The Podcaster

What is your Dominant Style?
• News Anchor
• Energizer Bunny
• Podcaster
• Technology Guru
• Airplane Pilot
• Guide on the Side

News Anchor

About the News Anchor
• Formal presentation style
• May read as if from a teleprompter or script
• Looks directly into the camera when
speaking
• Communicates information clearly
and accurately
• Like watching a newscast from a
broadcast studio

News Anchor
What are the strengths of the News Anchor style?

News Anchor Strengths
• Instant credibility
• Formal presentation style
• Strong on-camera presence
• Professional background
• Good lighting
• Confident delivery

News Anchor Weaknesses
• Can become a talking head
• Watching and multitasking
• It’s a show not a training experience
• Little engagement or interaction

News Anchor
When is the News Anchor style most
appropriate?
a. With large groups (100+)
b. Presenting to executive management
c. Presenting product information updates to
clients
d. With small groups (<15 people)
e. For company information messages to all
employees
f. In virtual training sessions with 25
participants

News Anchor Motto
I’m your
Sage on the
Stage
14

News Anchor Reflection
Note to Self:
What can you learn from this facilitation or
training style?
How might you enhance what you’re doing
based on the News Anchor strengths?
What weaknesses do you want to avoid?
Give a green check if you have one
“take away” to enhance your style?

Energizer Bunny

About the Energizer Bunny
• Brings passion and energy
• Is often motivational and
enthusiastic
• Commands attention
• Seen as genuine, upbeat
and positive
• Encourages active participation

Are you an Energizer Bunny?

Energizer Bunny Strengths
• Creates lively sessions that are engaging and fun
• Lurkers can’t lurk
• People leave feeling motivated and inspired
• Lots of vocal variety and animation in delivery

Energizer Bunny
Group 1: “I love the snow!”
What strengths appeal to you in this
high-energy style?
Group 2: “No snow for me, please!”
What turns you off as a participant?

Energizer Bunny Weaknesses
• Sometimes talks too much and talk over others
• Excitement can be overwhelming
• Fast pace
• May need to allow for dead air
so people can think

Energizer Bunny Motto
Energize,
engage, and
enthuse!
22

Energizer Bunny Reflection
Note to Self:
training style?
based on the Energizer Bunny strengths?
Give a green check if you have one “take
away” to enhance your style?

The Podcaster

Podcaster Motto
Listen in to
hear the
latest and
greatest!
25

About the Podcaster
• Speaks like a radio announcer
• Invites guests to be interviewed
• May have strong vocal characteristics
• Uses high quality microphone and
audio equipment
• May be formal or relaxed in approach
• Relies on voice more than visuals

The Podcaster
• Have you seen this style used
successfully in virtual training?
• What do you like most about the
Podcaster style?

Podcast Strengths
• Captures attention with lively banter
• Makes subject matter experts (SMEs) look good
• Probes for useful information
• Usually creates a relaxed environment
• Audience can pose questions for
the guest experts
• Requires less preparation time

Two Processing Types
Verbal
• Process using words
• Retain and recall information
that is verbal
Visual
• Process using pictures
• Retain and recall information
that is visual

Podcaster Disadvantages
• Emphasizes listening (verbal) over
seeing (visual)
• May not provide visuals to reinforce
content
• May sacrifice long-term retention of
information
• Entertainment may replace learning

Podcaster
When is the Podcaster style most appropriate?
a. If the focus is on providing expert information
b. When you want a SME to share their experience
c. When there is little or no time to prepare
d. If it’s a conversation not a presentation
e. All the above

Podcaster Reflection
Note to Self:
What can you learn from this facilitation
or training style?
How might you enhance what you’re
doing based on the Podcaster strengths?

The Technology Guru

Technology Guru
• Knows the web conference platform
inside out
• Loves the latest software applications
to keep people’s attention
• Backgrounds! Hats and hair!
• Gimme a GIF
• Multiple cameras and monitors
Are you a Technology Guru?
34

Technology Guru Strengths
What do Technology Gurus bring to the virtual environment?

Technology Guru Strengths
• Is well-versed in hardware and software
• Often well-equipped with the right gear
• Able to spot and solve technical problems quickly
• Makes it a seamless experience
• Gives a session the “Wow!” factor
• Often makes it playful and fun

Technology Guru Weaknesses
• May miss opportunities to create human connection
• Bells and whistles may replace authentic discussion
• May not always rely on strong instructional design

Technology Guru Motto
I have an
app for that!
38

Technology Guru Reflection
Note to Self:
• What can you learn from this facilitation or
training style?
• How might you enhance what you’re doing
based on the Technology Guru strengths?
• What weaknesses do you want to avoid?
• Give a green check if you have one

The Airplane Pilot
40

The Airplane Pilot
I can fly this
plane solo!
41

Airplane Pilot Characteristics
• Flies solo in most virtual events
(no producer)
• Comfortable with content and
technology
• Controls pacing and timing
• Can create a seamless experience

Airplane Pilot Advantages & Disadvantages
What are the advantages of this facilitation
or training style?
(First Name: A – K)
What are the disadvantages?
(First Name: L – Z)

Airplane Pilot Strengths
• Enhances the credibility of the presenter
• Builds confidence in the delivery
• Can manage pacing and timing
• Reduces costs associated with staffing

Airline Pilot Challenges
• Requires trainers who are comfortable
with both technology and facilitation
• Difficult to troubleshoot emerging
issues
• Can waste participant time if focused
on one person’s tech issue
• Can increase multitasking and poor
participation
• May increase need for rescheduling

Airplane Pilot Reflection
Note to Self:
training style?
based on the Airplane Pilot’s strengths?

The Guide on the Side

About the Guide on the Side
• Not a Sage on the Stage
• Prefers a Socratic teaching method
• Asks intelligent questions to
stimulate thinking
• Comfortable probing
• Encourages critical thinking
• Helps people connect content to
past experiences

Guide on the Side Strengths
• Often comfortable coaching
• Validates differing opinions and insights
• Creates a safe learning space
• Comfortable with disagreement and debate
• Perfect for smaller groups in a virtual classroom
Raise your virtual hand if you’ve participated
in an effective session led by a Guide on the Side.
49

Guide on the Side Weaknesses
• May not feel comfortable lecturing or presenting content
• May rely heavily on a producer to handle the technology
• Less interested in mastering the software
• Low-key energy may not work with larger groups
• People might get bored and multitask

Guide on the Side Motto
It’s all about
the questions
we ask
51

Guide on the Side Reflection
Note to Self:
training style?
based on the Guide on the Side’s strengths?

Six Virtual Facilitation Styles
The
Technology
Guru
The Airplane
Pilot
The Guide on
the Side
The News
Anchor
The Energizer
Bunny
The Podcaster

What will you do now?
What is one thing you intend to do now
to improve your facilitation style?

Virtual Facilitator
Virtual Facilitator Trainer
Certification (VFTC)
February 25 – March 31
https://netspeedlearning.com/virtual-learning/facilitation/

Take Our Survey
Download a complimentary ebook:
Great Web Engagement: Connecting,
Meeting, and Training Online
Receive a $350 discount on the
March VFTC

Thank you!
Cynthia Clay
NetSpeed Learning
206-517-5271
info@netspeedlearning.com

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