Applying this one badminton technique strengthens your relationship with stakeholders

I can remember the squeak of my green flash shoes on the court. 

The elation when a smash had just the right angle on it.

And of how much running I would do to get to that shuttlecock. Often ending up on my backside in the process.

One thing I was taught very early on was the importance of getting back to centre after taking a shot.

It kept you engaged in the game.

And ready for the next shot whether it was going to float delicately just over the net or would be lobbed high and wide.

“Get yourself in the middle of that court, racket up, knees bent and be ready for the next shot” my coaches told me.

Conversations also have shots.

My turn.

Your turn.

Our words keep the conversation going.

Building connection.

And sharing Ideas.

Plans.

Solutions.

And the quality of the engagement you can create means the quality of the relationship.

So, what’s the one thing you can do to keep that engagement high in online conversations?

Just like badminton and the importance of returning to the centre, returning to the camera pays dividends.

To you it’s a camera.

To the person you’re speaking with it’s them being looked in the eyes.

To you it can feel odd.

To the person you’re talking to it means they feel seen and heard.

To you it can feel a bit clunky when you start doing this.

To your stakeholder it can mean you think about how this experience feels for them.

So, next time you’re on an online call remember to return to centre and spend more time looking at the camera than at your screen.

And notice how your connections strengthen.