Resolving "live" Poor Planning issues

15. Too much participation. Managing instructor overwhelm: "I can't do this!"

When chat and questions flood in, hosts can lose track of agenda and feel ineffective. Plan for heavy interaction by assigning helpers, shortening lectures, and prioritizing key comments. In the moment, embrace audience enthusiasm, let participants answer each other, and manage time intentionally. (3:22)

Summary of this lesson in PDF here.

16. Formal atmosphere "It's my distinct pleasure to introduce you…"

Formal sessions often limit interaction to safe, predictable exchanges led by authority figures. You can’t change the culture instantly, but you can design within it using more varied tasks and less one-way delivery.
Leverage openings/closings for informality, and address both pre-meeting planning and in-meeting participant mindset. (3:28)

 Summary of this lesson in PDF here.

17. Session too short: "Sorry, we don't have time for that!"

Problems arise when session plans require features the conferencing tool doesn’t support. The fix: either upgrade technology or creatively adapt using simpler tools like conference calls and emailed materials.
Success depends on mastering available tech and aligning it with audience needs and session purpose. (2:15)

Summary of this lesson in PDF here.

18. Technical mismatches. "I will do what I do in my face-to-face session online."

Cutting engagement due to time shortages often signals poor agenda planning. You musy stay on top of timing with visible cues, realistic agendas, and group involvement in prioritizing topics. Use pre-meeting research, “parking lots,” and clear objectives to balance engagement with time boundaries. (2:44)