I forgot how nice and easy my job is. I was in London with a client last week, delivering a face-to-face workshop and it was great fun. I even got to use the trains, stay in a hotel and meet the group for an evening meal, plus a couple of beers.
The last time I did a session for this group it was 4 months ago and virtual, I must say, it was hard(er) work then. On this session, the interaction and involvement of everyone in the room was 100% more impactful. We shared stories, engaged in meaningful conversations, heated debates and really connected with each other.
You can’t beat real contact when it comes to learning and development and, as much as the virtual delivery does have its place, it will never be as good as being in the room with a live audience. Having delivered hours and hours of virtual material I can honestly say, I don’t know how impactful the sessions were. Did anyone go away and do anything differently or try and change a situation? I have no idea but, last week in the room, I saw ‘the lights go on’ with several people and saw delegates frantically taking notes, nodding and really paying attention.
Facial expressions, tone of voice and body language is just not the same when you are looking at a small computer screen. I do, however, love using the virtual world for meetings. It is so much easier to dial in and have a short meeting rather than to travel miles or spend hours getting across the country to say hello! So much better and environmentally friendly, I feel like I am making better choices for the future of the planet.
I think it is possible to maximise our experiences whilst minimising our carbon footprint using compromises and the advancements we have made globally. Over the last 2 years creativity, innovation and challenging the status quo, have certainly given us more choices when it comes to doing business. I’m just waiting for someone to get teleportation sorted, as that would solve everything, although there may be some health related problems as a side effect ????.
Anyway, until then, I am happy to balance things and hopefully be able to have the impact and do my job to the best of my ability.
How have you found the changes and do you feel you can still have the impact, you want, when you are working?
Have a great week and if you fancy a meeting let me know I’ll send an invite over!