With how unpredictable this day and age has been, there is a lot to account for and more changes than ever before.
However, the one
predictable thing, although not in person for obvious reasons, is meetings,
meetings, and more meetings…only this time virtually! At school, at work,
family time and even during the holidays.
We are thankful for
Zoom and Google Meet, which for the most part, have allowed us to experience
some set of normalcy during a worldwide pandemic, even if it is through a
computer screen. That being said, our adjustment to Zoom has been few and far
between with the level of mishaps and general lack of awareness.
Oftentimes, when you
try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges.
To resolve this very issue, I wrote my 13-book Series “Becoming a Pioneer” –
Join the Pioneers Club by Clicking
this Link
While virtual
meetings might be the new norm over the last year, the changing circumstances
have led to an entirely new set of virtual meeting etiquette problems. There
are missteps out there when it comes to virtual meetings that one needs to be
aware of!
While different from
in-person, social etiquette is not thrown out of the window just because you
happen to be in a virtual meeting. All social rules apply. Therefore, here are
some no-no’s below that one should avoid while virtually live on camera (or as you
will see right below, not on camera) that you should be aware of!
Not turning on the
camera. For many, the blank screen and no camera has
become a chronic habit. Not having your camera on serves as a way to “not” pay
attention to the meeting at hand while it is assumed that you are. While you
might think you’re trying to get other things done, if you ask a presenter,
talking to a blank screen can be draining!
Sure, you might be
driving your car, but this is a no-no too! Not having your camera on, regardless
of the reason, signals a lack of respect and transparency on your part that
will likely turn off those on the other end. Be mature; turn it on!
Not being
presentable. Look presentable in a Zoom meeting;
it is simple as that. What is normal for most meetings is the same for most
virtual meetings! It is easy to tell that you just rolled out of bed or haven’t
tidied up a bit.
Take the extra step
and make yourself look presentable, and that way, you’ll feel good too. Whether
you need to find a cheap haircut in a hurry, or you keep a button up next to
your desk, having a professional top and looking lively is a good habit for
virtual meetings!
Forgetting to mute
the mic. On platforms like Zoom, you have the option to
turn on/off your mic when you speak and are finished speaking. However, keep in
mind that when you do speak, sometimes the screen brings your name up on the
main screen, and doing that without knowing your mic is on, can lead to an
embarrassing situation. It’s best to enter meetings on mute, and always
double-checking that real quick can reduce mishaps from happening. It’s
courteous to others when it is not your turn to speak.
Final thoughts.
Sometimes being on a video conference instead of in person can be tough to
adjust to because it requires more of something we simply are not used to, and
perhaps will take time. Still, it is essential to say that we need not
substitute our professionalism for comfort. Always use the litmus test when
attending virtual meetings, “Would I do this in person?” and if the answer is
no, don’t do it virtually! Just because you’re online doesn’t mean social
etiquette never stopped remaining in effect.
If we learn to be
respectful, courteous, and polite by making sure we are focused, free of
distractions, camera-on, in plain sight, and all of the necessary bells and
whistles of Zoom in check, you won’t ever have to worry about committing a
virtual meeting misstep again!
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