The Most Wasted Two Minutes in Business

I keep noticing the same thing happen before virtual meetings.

The first people arrive. Cameras come on. Little boxes appear on the screen and then…Nothing.

Everyone stares at their monitors. Checks email. Responds to Slack messages. Finishes one more task. Scrolls through their phone.

They’re physically present but socially absent.  We sit together in silence, waiting for the “official” meeting to start.

It may seem harmless, but I think we’re losing something important.

The Death of the Hallway Conversation

Before virtual meetings became the norm, people naturally connected.  You’d walk into a conference room and chat while waiting for everyone to arrive.

“How was your weekend?”

“Did your daughter have her recital?”

“How did the basketball game go last night?”

Nobody called it team building, but that’s exactly what it was.  Those brief conversations created familiarity, trust, and human connection. They reminded us that the people around us were more than job titles and email addresses.

Today, many of those moments have disappeared.

We Have Mistaken Efficiency for Effectiveness

The modern virtual meeting often looks like this:

• Join call
• Mute
• Check email
• Wait
• Meeting starts

Efficient?  Perhaps.

Effective for building a strong team?  Not even close.

High-performing teams aren’t built solely during agenda discussions. They’re built in the moments between the agenda items. In the casual exchanges. In the small conversations that help people feel known.  The irony is that we’re all craving connection while simultaneously avoiding opportunities for it.

Be the Person Who Breaks the Silence

The good news?  It only takes one person.

One person who is willing to ask a simple question.

One person willing to start a conversation.

One person willing to treat colleagues like humans instead of calendar appointments.

If you’re that person, here are a few easy conversation starters.

Easy Openers

• “That’s a great color on you. Is that a new shirt?”
• “How’s your week going so far?”
• “Anybody doing anything fun this weekend?”
• “How’s the weather where you are today?”
• “What’s been keeping you busy lately?”

A Little More Meaningful

• “What’s been the best part of your day so far?”
• “What’s something you’re looking forward to this week?”
• “What’s one thing that’s gone well for you recently?”
• “What’s been giving you energy these days?”
• “What’s something you’re learning right now?”

Building on Previous Conversations

These are often the most powerful because they demonstrate that you listened and remembered.

• “How was your son’s basketball game?”
• “Did your daughter end up choosing a college?”
• “How did that presentation go?”
• “Did you ever finish that home renovation project?”
• “How was the trip you mentioned last week?”

When people feel remembered, they feel valued.

The Hidden Return on Investment

Will these conversations add two or three minutes to the beginning of a meeting?  Possibly, but not really as the meeting can still start “on time.”

Will they strengthen relationships, improve trust, increase engagement, and create a more connected team?  Almost certainly.

The strongest teams don’t just share work.  They share humanity.

So the next time you join a virtual meeting a few minutes early, resist the urge to immediately dive into email. Look up.  Turn on your camera.  Ask a question.  Start a conversation.  Those two minutes before the meeting starts might be the most important part of the meeting.

Related Articles:

Team Building Activity: Building an Extraordinary Team

Team Building Activity: Active Listening

Team Building Activity: The Importance of Prioritizing

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