Throughout the past year, we’ve grown accustomed to communicating with friends and colleagues over Zoom, FaceTime, and other video conferencing platforms. Video allows us to communicate better than with just audio. Being on camera can soften or magnify the message behind our words. Posture, hand gestures, and facial expressions all convey how you feel, and it’s important for others to be able to see that.
Of course, video conferencing does have its challenges. “Zoom fatigue,” the burnout associated with overusing digital communication platforms, is real — and many are feeling it. With that in mind, here are some tips for making sure your next video call is more engaging than it is exhausting.
Think Twice Before Sending an Invite
Scheduling video calls tends to make us more inclusive than necessary. This is nice in theory, but can often result in employees attending 5+ meetings in a day. Some parties likely only need to attend milestone meetings, and you should never invite those that just need to be “Informed” — simply ensure you inform them post-call by sending over a quick summary. Challenge yourself to think through who really needs to be in a meeting before blocking time in their calendar.
Establish Which Meetings Require Video
While not every interaction warrants being on camera, it’s helpful to let your colleagues know when you do expect to see them on screen. Meetings with executives or clients, for example, can benefit greatly from face-to-face interactions — as can some 1:1 conversations. Whatever the case, if you’re booking a meeting, let attendees know in advance whether they should be camera ready.
Be Mindful of Others’ Time
You may have an hour scheduled, but that doesn’t mean you have to fill it. Make an agenda to ensure efficiency, allow people to drop off after essential information has been shared, and encourage attendees to have follow-up or breakout conversations if things go off topic.
The World of Work has changed dramatically in the past year. It’s critical that we take steps to ensure no one feels burnt out from being on camera. Setting expectations, being mindful of others’ time, and giving colleagues some flexibility when it comes to video conferencing will help you strike the perfect balance.