"If you are presentable, show us your face!"

"If you are presentable, show us your face!"

That is how I greeted each of the 18 participants at the online kick-off of a leadership programme last week. One by one, with a grin.

Then a bit of theatre: "I know, I know. Your email is one click away. Your phone is beeping. But we are here for YOUR development. Mute your notifications. Choose to be here."

Smiles. Cameras on.

On a screen, the first minutes decide whether people stay with you or drift back to their inbox. Same as on a stage. So I give them something to do early, because people commit to what they take part in.

And it starts before you log in. That morning, I chose my character: a bit of a tease.

What do you do in the first 5 minutes to get a group with you?