These days we’re all on the small screen .  One of the forces shaping our post covid future is the near elimination of the in-person business meeting.  Instead, we find ourselves in the flattened environment of Zoom calls, where we are deprived of many of the visual and social cues we would unconsciously process in a face-to-face meeting.  Our unfamiliarity and inexperience in this forum may lead us to send the wrong signals and misinterpret the prompts we receive from others. 

How do we ameliorate the dangers?  Here are some suggestions:

• Acknowledge the Circumstances – Recognizing that a video call is not an in-person meeting helps to achieve some level of comfort and rapport.  Comment on your own location or background and acknowledge others’.  If the dog barks or the cat walks across your keyboard, don’t pretend that it didn’t happen – use it to make a personal connection.

• Look at the Camera, Not Yourself – While it may feel a little disconcerting to look straight into the lens, it is the equivalent of looking someone in the eye.  Think of the pros you see on TV – they look right at the camera and make you feel as if they are speaking directly to you.  And don’t spend the entire call looking at your own image – that is distracting for you and others. Keep your focus on the little white light. 

• Be Mindful of Your Expressions – Your face is likely filling most of the screen and will appear closer than it would from across a conference table.  Your facial expressions will have a greater impact.  Stay positive, keep your chin up, and smile.  And keep your hands off your face. It is a sign of anxiety, and worse yet, covering your mouth sends a signal that you are hiding something or being untruthful.

• Listen carefully; Speak slowly – Concentrate on what is said by others, measure your response, and speak deliberately.  Lacking the full array of visual and social cues we would have during a face-to-face meeting, we need to pay closer attention and listen harder.  The same is true for our counterparts, so make their job easier by speaking simply, directly, and purposefully.

• Be Hyper Aware – Focus on the non-verbal cues that are available.  For example, if someone leans forward, that is often a signal that they have something to say.  Since we don’t have a full picture, we need to make an extra effort to use the information that is available.

• Ask Questions – If you perceive a disconnect between what you see and what you hear, ask questions to clarify your understanding. 

It is likely that the trend toward video conferences in lieu of in-person meetings will continue even after the covid crisis passes.  By following these suggestions you can burnish your ability to thrive in the Next Normal. 

Marc Alterman is the principal of MA33 Strategies, LLC, a consultancy dedicated to providing strategic planning and general business advice to entrepreneurs and executives.  For help with your company’s overall strategic direction or other management challenges, contact Marc Alterman at [email protected].