Déjà vu.: How to Transition to Hybrid and Level Up your Game
by Cecily Kalkhof
Cecily Kalkhof
I’m suffering from a serious case of Déjà vu.
We all remember the first moment we took our teams; our practices; our lives to full remote status. It was March 17th, 2020 for me, and I was convinced we would be back in the office by summer, perhaps with a few lessons learned about ZOOM and other brand-new technologies.
We all know how many times that scenario has toggled between unmasked jubilance (remember last summer??), and whatever form of mild trepidation some of us may still feel today with variants wafting in and out of the headlines.
But, here’s the good news. We’ve proven that we can wrangle the virus pretty well with boosters and good behavior, so many organizations are striking a balance between the two extremes. After all, there are entire teams who have been working together for two years and have never met.
Here are a few tips for managing that transition to some form of hybrid and remote connections that may even level up your game for good:
Be honest with yourself and your clients. No one is at their highest worth if they aren’t feeling physically safe.
Acknowledge geographic difference in policies & practices if you have clients in different markets. (Philadelphia reinstated full masking policies on April 11th).
Take a second look at your virtual set-up. No more sitting in the shadows, and try moving your on-camera position if you’re still stuck in an extra bedroom.
Test new camera set-ups with friends or family. Aim first for maximizing the eye contact, clear audio and comfortable surroundings, especially if you’re coaching or counseling.
If you do host in-person sessions, do your best to keep the look & feel consistent with what clients have seen online. Continuity matters.
Last, and definitely not least, stay authentic. The person your clients see on camera has to match up with the in-person version.
As most of us pivot toward live events, entertainment and experiences I hope you enjoy every second of those precious connections. And, no matter when that feeling of Déjà vu returns we’ll know we have risen above any limitations with a sense of discovery together.
Cecily Kalkhof was an anchor/reporter in radio and television before leading crisis corporate communications teams through nuclear power plant approvals, healthcare system expansions and legal trials with ABC News. She now coaches leaders in all sectors and circumstances as they strive to communicate authentically.