Inclusion in Meetings: Kieran Snyder On In-Person vs. Remote Dynamics 6 | 35
Sep 11, 2024
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Kieran Snyder, founder of Nerd Processor and co-founder of Textio, explores the intricacies of inclusivity in meetings. She dives into surprising data on how in-person versus remote settings affect participation, especially for women. The conversation highlights the dynamics of interruptions and the impact of power and gender on communication. Kieran shares practical strategies for leaders to enhance engagement and create inclusive meeting environments, emphasizing the need for structured agendas and balanced participation.
Inclusivity dynamics differ significantly between in-person and remote meetings, impacting engagement and participation rates across genders and power levels.
The 'abrasive trap' reveals a gender bias in workplace feedback, where high-performing women are often labeled personally rather than professionally compared to men.
Effective meeting structure and facilitation, such as using structured agendas and 'idea spotlighting', are essential for ensuring all attendees feel valued and heard.
Deep dives
The Need for Effective Team Management Tools
Managing a non-desk team can be overwhelming, especially for those juggling responsibilities like payroll and scheduling. A streamlined solution is necessary for increasing productivity and business growth. Using a comprehensive platform, such as Connect Team, allows managers to automate essential tasks like clocking in employees, creating schedules, assigning tasks, and processing payroll all through a mobile-first interface. This integrated approach not only saves time but also ensures that managers can focus on strategic growth rather than administrative duties.
The Abrasive Trap and Gender Bias in Feedback
In workplace feedback dynamics, the 'abrasive trap' highlights a significant disparity between how high-performing women and men are described. Research indicates that women are often labeled as 'abrasive' despite their performance, whereas men receive feedback framed around performance-related terms such as 'aggressive.' This means that 88% of high-performing women received personality-related feedback, in contrast to only 12% of high-performing men. The implications of this bias suggest that feedback should focus on observable behavior rather than personal traits to foster a more equitable workplace.
Interruptions in Meetings: Gender and Power Dynamics
A key finding in research on workplace interruptions reveals that the most frequent interrupters in meetings tend to be senior women rather than men. This suggests that as women gain power and authority, their communication styles evolve, often leading to increased interruptions. Further analysis shows that remote meetings exacerbate these interruption dynamics, with powerful individuals, regardless of gender, able to dominate the conversation. This delineates how power dynamics, rather than gender alone, become the predominant factor influencing participation levels in meetings.
Participation Rates in Virtual vs. In-Person Meetings
Research comparing participation rates in remote and in-person meetings indicates a significant drop in engagement in remote settings, especially as meeting sizes increase. In meetings with ten participants, women report a 30 to 40% lower participation rate than men, showcasing a pronounced chilling effect in virtual environments. Conversely, smaller meetings, particularly those with only two members, tend to foster a more equal opportunity for vocal contributions. Thus, selecting meeting formats and sizes carefully can be crucial for ensuring inclusive participation across diverse teams.
The Importance of Structuring Meetings for Inclusivity
Effective meeting facilitation requires thoughtful structuring, which caters to all attendees' input and encourages active participation. Research suggests that meetings with structured agendas lead to greater engagement, but challenges arise when facilitators are ineffective. Leaders play a pivotal role in creating an inclusive environment by recognizing and empowering quieter team members to voice their thoughts. Implementing strategies like 'idea spotlighting'—where an attendee highlights contributions made by others—can significantly enhance collaboration and ensure all voices are heard.
The surprising data on inclusivity in different meeting settings.
Kieran Snyder, founder of nerd processor and co-founder of Textio, joins the Radical Candor podcast to explore inclusivity in meetings, revealing data-driven insights from her research on in-person versus remote settings. Kieran discusses the dynamics of interruptions, idea credit-taking, and the impact of power and gender on participation. With over 1,100 hours of meeting data analyzed, she sheds light on the complexities of remote work, the significance of structured agendas, and the importance of leadership in fostering inclusive environments. The episode offers practical tips for leaders to enhance meeting engagement and navigate the evolving landscape of workplace communication.
