Consulting in a virtual environment
On 5th of April 2021 Sabine Gromer talked amongst others at the Panel discussion at the University of Colorado. What are the advantages of consulting in a virtual environment?
Three broad topic areas where discussed
1. What are the advantages of consulting in a virtual environment?
- There is something liberating in a virtual environment
- The screen allows us a form of interaction that in-person doesn’t allow
- Advantages
- What you notice that is obvious on a screen that may be less obvious in person
- Have found that virtual work is more effective
- Clients can be more vulnerable with me 1:1 into a camera in their home with no one around
- After the pandemic is over, not sure I’m going to change it up much – laser skills around coaching
- The virtual environment can be a magnifier – for better or for worse (background)
2. What are the challenges of consulting in a virtual environment?
- How did we have to change to make this work. (Example of manager workshop delivered live vs. virtual – changed the way I saw it)
- Collaborating in a group is harder
- People get confused about their role in a virtual group
- People may script themselves more
- I draw energy from the room and may not be able to do that in a virtual setting
3. What types of changes have you seen since you first started doing this today?
- I have to contract for and prepare differently for a virtual meeting
- I find I have to spend a lot of time thinking through the details of activities for my class
- Can’t be as spontaneous as I might be in a classroom
Sabine Gromer talked on the 5 principles by Edgar H. Schein
1. Always try to be helpful. And do so in inner freedom!
2. Always stay in touch with the current reality. Name what is!
3. Access your ignorance. And find the power in it – as the right questions at the right time.
4. Everything you do is an intervention.
5. It is the client who owns the problem and the solution. – Energy check.