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The traditional model of staff conferences—where leaders speak for most of the day while employees passively listen—is slowly changing but not quick enough. To move from tick a box exercises, they should be opportunities for genuine connection, engagement and reinforcement of organisational values. To achieve this, organizations must pivot to more interactive, empathetic and inclusive approaches. Particularly given how in our hybrid workplaces in-person engagement opportunities are so few and far in between for leaders.
Just thought I’d share three key principles and my top five ideas on how organisations can use staff conferences to shift away from monotonous speeches and take the opportunity to present their leaders as vulnerable humans and underscore their people as their most important asset.
- Less Top Down Talk, More Bottom Up Engagement – Traditional conferences with an overload of top-down communication not only tires attendees but also misses the opportunity for meaningful interaction. By reducing the time spent on monologues and incorporating various forms of engagement, organisations can create a more dynamic and impactful experience.
2. Present your Leaders as Humans – Leaders who appear infallible and distant can inadvertently create a culture of fear and inaccessibility. When leaders share their challenges, failures and personal stories, they become relatable. This vulnerability can foster trust, openness, and a stronger connection between all levels of staff.
- Reinforce Their People as Their Most Important Asset – Employees need to feel valued and recognized. Acknowledging their contributions, providing platforms for their voices to be heard, and genuinely and actively involving them in decision-making processes are crucial steps in reinforcing that people are the core of any organisation’s success.
Top 5 Ideas for an Engaging Staff Conference Agenda
To put these principles into action, here are my top 5 innovative ideas for transforming your next staff conference:
- Panel Discussions with Q&A – Organize panels with a mix of leaders and employees discussing key topics. Ensure ample time for audience questions, promoting dialogue and diverse perspectives.
2. Personal Storytelling by Leaders – Dedicate a segment where leaders share personal stories of challenges and growth. This approach humanizes them and builds empathy and connection.
- Interactive Polls and Surveys – Use real-time polling tools like Slido or Menti to gather employee opinions on various topics during the conference. This makes the event more interactive and ensures that voices are heard.
4. Team Building activities as well as ice-breakers – If you’re expecting new staff to trust colleagues and openly share in the breakout sessions, then you’ll need to have done more than just a morning ice-breaker and have networking time during tea breaks and lunchtime for people to get to know each other. Don’t hesitate to schedule team building activities before the big breaks to get people to talk to new people during their social breaks and also feel more comfortable being honest during brainstorming sessions.
- Employee Recognition and Awards – Highlight and celebrate the achievements of employees. Recognise not just high performers but also those who embody the organization’s values and contribute positively to the culture.
By reimagining staff conferences through these innovative approaches, organisations can create a more engaging, human-centric, and value-driven experience. Moving away from passive consumption of information, presenting leaders as approachable and relatable, and reinforcing the importance of employees are essential steps in fostering a healthy and productive organisational culture. The next time you plan a staff conference, consider these strategies to ensure it’s not just another meeting, but a meaningful event that resonates with and inspires the team. Look forward to working with your team to ensure a dynamic day as your MC. Drop me a line at speakupmc@outlook.com Hutch Hussein
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