How to Be a
By Jamel Thomas
In the Era of Video Conferencing
Player
Show Your Best Self
No Traveling Out of Frame
Pay attention to your camera angle. When speaking look at the camera and not yourself. Speak up when talking and even consider using an external microphone. Dress for your audience. Always be neat.
Communication is key. If you must leave early let everyone know (use the chat feature). Signaling with a single finger in the air is the sign for give me a minute. Signal as needed.
Avoid Multitasking
No Illegal Use of Sound
Doing anything other than active listening from being on another device to writing out your grocery list may send the wrong message.
The mute button is your friend. Unless you are speaking it should be engaged. If possible choose a quiet location. Use a white noise machine when ambient noise is unavoidable.
No Illegal Time Utilization
No Illegal Substitutions
Know when to video conference and when to email or slack. Always figure out the tech on your time. Learn and test software, hardware and network connections before the call.
Let the meeting host know if you can't show. Often meetings are held up due to waiting for attendees that are not going to show requiring someone else to contribute on your behalf.
No Eating on the Call
Let Your Presence Be Known
Everything is laser focused on your face during a video conference call. With front facing cameras getting better and better do you really want the world seeing a close up of you eating your pastrami on rye?
Say who you are when speaking. Don’t talk over each other. Use the chat function to ask questions. Meeting hosts be sure to introduce everyone at the beginning of your meeting.
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