Communicating via video platforms is helping organisations stay connected and keep their businesses running. However, as the number of meetings we attend online and the number of hours we spend each day staring at a screen increases, it’s important to stop and think about whether our virtual communications are actually purposeful, engaging and perceived by others as an effective use of time.
1. Set a clear goal and communicate it
Think for a moment: what percentage of the online meetings you attend are actually productive and effective? Many recent studies show that we are attending more and more online meetings and spending a large part of our day in them; however, many employees working remotely consider a large proportion of these meetings to be a waste of time. If you are organising a meeting, be clear about the purpose and communicate it to your participants. If you are attending a meeting and it is not clear what the purpose of the meeting is – ask the organiser.
2. Consider whether video calling is really the best option
If you can’t see why an online meeting is necessary, then dominican republic whatsapp data consider a different option. Many people now tend to treat video calling as the default for all communication. In some cases, document sharing platforms with detailed comments can reduce the need for meetings. If the purpose of your meeting is simply to share information, consider replacing the video call with recorded video messages. This will save you and your colleagues time.
3. Bring focus and predictability to your virtual communications
Always ensure a clear agenda and structure for your virtual meetings. People generally prefer predictability over uncertainty when entering new situations, so make it clear what will happen and what is expected of them. Frequently signal what will be done and how it will be done.
4. Invite only absolutely necessary participants and say no to worthless meetings
How many people should you invite to your meeting? The fewer, the better! This may seem obvious, but it’s much easier to invite – and much easier to accept – meetings in the virtual world. It’s common for people to invite other participants for fear of leaving them out. We also readily accept meetings for fear of being left out. Carefully consider what role each participant will play in the meeting and whether their presence will help achieve the goal.
5. Focus energy on your own body language
Several studies have shown that participating in a video call requires more attention than a face-to-face conversation to process non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, tone of voice or body language; therefore, paying close attention to these takes a lot of energy. Furthermore, interpreting body language is highly subjective and we can often misread cues. Put your energy into your own facial expressions and body language. If you’re not sure how someone is feeling – ask them!
6. Carefully consider your camera setup and the messages you want to send
Video calls are becoming more and more common, but we still see many examples of people paying little attention to their visual environment and background. People make assumptions based on very little information, so be aware of how others will see you on camera. You can’t control how everyone prepares for a meeting; but you can control how you look, your surroundings and the energy you project. Check your camera settings and your surroundings (ideally before the meeting starts) and remove anything that could become a distraction. Be aware that constantly looking at yourself during a video call can be mentally tiring and can be a stressor as you critically check your appearance and demeanor on camera. Consider using the “hide self view” option, which means you can’t see yourself, but others can.