30-minute virtual session exploring six strategies to increase trust and psychological safety in virtual training. Explore how to use your web cam more effectively to increase approachability and decrease the experience of a threatening presence. Understand why building strong social connection with learners is important to your success.

1. Virtual Training
Building Trust and
Psychological Safety
© 2023 Clay & Associates Inc./NetSpeed Learning Solutions

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Introduction
• Cynthia Clay, CEO, NetSpeed Learning
• Author of Great Webinars: Interactive Learning
that is Captivating, Informative, and Fun
• Work with our clients to build thriving virtual
workplaces, better virtual leaders, and stellar
virtual learning
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Objectives
• Recognize the signs of
diminished trust
• Adopt six techniques for greater
trust and psychological safety
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Psychological
Safety
The assurance that
someone will not be
humiliated, embarrassed or
punished for speaking
openly and honestly about
their opinions and feelings
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Signs
What signs tell you that
people may be experiencing
diminished psychological
safety?
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Signs
Attendance drop off
Little chatting
No volunteers for activities
Cameras off
Virtual “chill” in the room
Not joining breakout
sessions
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Three Critical Focus Areas
Virtual
Presence
Technical
Comfort
Social
Strength
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Strong
Virtual Presence
• Webcam on with head
and shoulders in frame
• No part of your face in
shadow
• Natural and neutral
background
• Look up into camera lens
(camera placement)
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Strong
Virtual Presence
• Look into the camera lens
when speaking or
listening (direct gaze)
• Avoid indirect gaze
• Avoid large eye
movements
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Impression Formation From Video Conference Screenshots: The
Role of Gaze, Camera Distance, and Angle · Volume 3, Issue 1:
Spring 2022 (apaopen.org)

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Participants on Web Cams
How important is it for participants to be on camera?
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Virtual
Participation
Set expectations and ground
rules for virtual participation.
What is an example of an
effective ground rule?
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Virtual
Participation
Expectations
• When will participants use
web cams?
• What kind of participation is
expected?
• How should they ask
questions?
• Will there be breaks?
• Is disagreement welcomed?
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Three Critical Focus Areas
Virtual
Presence
Technical
Comfort
Social
Strength
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Social Strength
• Share “lessons learned”
in stories
• Model openness and
authenticity
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Social Strength
What is the impact of
openness and authenticity
on the virtual training
session?
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Social
Connection
Help people feel
seen, valued, and
celebrated
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Social
Connection
Which of these
techniques helps
people feel “seen,
valued, and
celebrated?”
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Blocks to
Connection
• Feeling “set up” after giving
an incorrect answer
• Not having comments
acknowledged
• Being ignored if you ask
challenging questions
• Feeling confronted by the
instructor
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Three Critical Focus Areas
Virtual
Presence
Technical
Comfort
Social
Strength
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Technical Comfort
• Know your web conference platform
• Download latest version before each
virtual training
• Orient participants to the interaction tools
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Increase technical competence (your
own and others)

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Calm at the
Center
Remain calm during
technical challenges
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Six Strategies
1. Establish strong virtual presence
2. Give people the freedom to be on or off
camera
3. Set expectations and ground rules for
participation
4. Model openness and authenticity
5. Help people feel seen, valued, and celebrated
6. Increase technical competence (your own and
others)
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Insights
What is one thing you
intend to do now to
increase psychological
safety in your next
virtual training
session?
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Cynthia Clay
NetSpeed Learning
206-517-5271
info@netspeedlearning.com
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