Tip

Start every virtual meeting with a “micro-moment of presence.” Ask everyone to react in chat, raise a hand, or share a one-word check-in. It sounds tiny — but it breaks the “silent join” habit and sets the tone for attention and connection.

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Description

We’ve all seen it: cameras glowing, faces expressionless, no sound except the facilitator’s voice bouncing in an empty digital room. The illusion of participation is strong. Technically everyone’s present, but emotionally they are elsewhere. Real presence online is not about keeping your camera on; it’s about being responsive.

The first 90 seconds of a meeting create its emotional temperature. If you open with silence, that silence tends to stick. But if you ask for a quick gesture – a thumbs-up reaction, a one-word mood check in chat, or even a quick poll – you’re sending a signal: “This space is alive.” Those micro-interactions aren’t just icebreakers; they’re attention anchors.

As a facilitator, model it yourself. Look at the camera occasionally, use names (“That’s a great point, Priya”), and comment on the chat so it feels part of the conversation. Presence is contagious — people mirror your energy.