This year, I focus my blogs on a significant post-pandemic change — more video engagement and collaboration in a hybrid work environment. Last month, I wrote about the fact that leaders must communicate, collaborate, and engage effectively in the hybrid workplace if they want to be successful. This month, I will describe several reasons why it is challenging to communicate effectively when on camera.
Reason #1 — Video camera technology can be challenging
There is a lot of technology in the modern hybrid workplace. The good news is that all this technology provides terrific capabilities that were unavailable a decade ago. The downside is that technology can be confusing to use or not function properly. The number of meetings I have participated in that were either delayed or affected by technical challenges is impossible to count. There is nothing worse than having the technology crash during an important meeting with senior leaders.
The amount of tools is almost endless
The more technology you use, the more things that can go wrong. There are software applications that control the camera, microphone, and texting functionality on your phone or laptop. It is not uncommon for me to use more than one tool during various meetings. The other day, I participated in a Zoom call, Microsoft Teams meeting, and Google Meet video call. Each tool is different. Many people use wireless headphones, which can present their own connectivity challenges. If you participate in a meeting from a conference room, then there are usually even more technical options. It is almost comical these days when a video call goes off the rails. My favorite blooper is when no one can figure out which remote to use in a conference room setting.
Reason #2 — Others can see you up close on camera
When you join a video conference call from your computer or phone and turn on your camera, everyone can see you up close. Viewing yourself and others on camera can be unsettling. The reason is that it is not normal for you to see other people that close on camera in a workplace. If you think about a normal in-person meeting, there is usually plenty of personal space for everyone. You are not constantly looking at the faces of all the other participants. Your brain can handle this type of environment. Contrast that with a virtual interaction, which can be overwhelming.
Many people do not like how they look on camera
I fall into this category. It can be unnerving to see myself on camera for many hours. As the joke goes, I have a face for radio, not television. If you position your camera too close to your face, everyone gets to see way too many personal details. One solution is to leave your camera off, which I believe is a mistake. If you are a leader, turn on your camera as much as possible. In a future blog, I will explain why you should and share the situations that warrant turning your camera off.
Reason #3 — It is easy to get distracted while on camera
We live in a world full of distractions. It can be challenging to maintain your focus in the modern hybrid workplace. If you participate in a virtual meeting on your computer, it is easy to multi-task and not pay attention. There are emails to read and respond to, text messages, and notifications coming in all day long. Your mobile phone is another device that will easily grab your attention and not let go. Think about the last video meeting you participated in. How many people on camera were fully engaged in the session and paying attention? Better yet, some participants did not turn their cameras on and stayed on mute. It is not hard to imagine they were doing other things during the meeting. We all do if we are not careful.
If you get distracted, so will others
The thing to remember as a leader is that if you get distracted, others will be as well. One of the reasons I believe it is important for leaders to be on camera during virtual meetings is to set the example by being fully engaged and paying attention to the meeting, not all the distractions around them. If you drift away into distraction land, you are basically giving everyone else permission to do the same. After all, why should they pay attention if you aren’t? Setting a good example is the easiest solution.
Leaders will need to overcome these challenges to communicate effectively in a hybrid workplace
Given this new reality of a hybrid workplace, leaders must learn how to communicate effectively in virtual environments. In this blog, I shared three reasons why communicating effectively on camera is challenging in a hybrid workplace. What about you? Do you know how to show up well on camera? In the next blog, I will share the best tip for communicating effectively while on camera.
ATW! will make you a better leader
I hope you join me on this journey to raise the next generation of leaders. The world is in desperate need of more great leaders. Women and men who lead with confidence, clarity, and creativity. It’s time to become the leader that your world needs. Let’s go All The Way!