You are invited to a bit of a do! Open University Press are hosting a launch for Simplifying Coaching on Monday 1st March 13.00 2021 (UK) for an hour.  We would love you to come. Register here.

Claire writes: “It’s funny how something leads to new learning.  The YouTube sensation that was the Handforth Parish Council meeting got me thinking about Zoom meetings.  And Zoom hygiene.  

With everyone who can working from home, some people assume their full power confidently sitting in comfort in front of their professional screen in a well-equipped home office.  Others zoom perched on the kitchen table or even the bed – in places where they may not be at their best. This morning I ran a session on receiving feedback for the staff of an organisation around the world. Some were in the office, and some in the bedroom.  So in advance of a work meeting (or parish council), some useful things to think about are

• where can I sit so that I can walk away after the meeting if this gets tricky because if you are sat on the bed the feelings that were evoked may stay with you
• if I have to be in a bedroom and there is more than one, can I be in someone else’s room so I can walk away?
• sitting in the middle of the screen feels quite powerful to others. If that’s not your intention, sitting slightly to the side is less formal (“I have experimented with slightly more sideways postures, and being off centre on the screen. It has made a huge difference! I find myself slightly more relaxed and at ease with leading a meeting, coaching or training session and, over time, it will be interesting to see what effects it has on those I meet with”.)
• use a headset (even simple audio – no need for a microphone) – otherwise your colleague thinks they are having a confidential conversation with you when they are in fact talking to your household.  It also makes for extra background noise
• and if you’re having a conversation with a colleague ask them: ‘Is there anyone else there?’ You might think it’s you and them. It’s useful to know if the children are there. Or a partner who might be judging what they are saying.

And finally, you can hide yourself.  After all it’s odd to have a 1-1 conversation when you’re watching yourself! Two of you and one of them also impacts the dynamics as well as being a nightmare if you’re self conscious!”

We will be running a couple of sessions for coaches who want to get more confident at working online. Email us at info@3dcoaching.com and we will give you priority booking when we get the dates.

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Ⓒ 3D Coaching Ltd 2021

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