How I Avoid Zoom Gloom

Everyone is now working from home on Zoom, as it's one of the better meeting [and now coffee and cocktail] platforms.

I'm a Zoom veteran, having started on it four years ago, so it's an integral part of my work.

I’ve recently read a number of articles on 'Zoom Gloom', addressing fatigue, dissonance, and exhaustion with virtual meetings. But hang on. 

Is it Zoom overload now, or is it the current reality we're all facing? Could that dissonance stem from our basic need to connect, but can't quite really 'connect' in a virtual meeting?  

Zoom is a terrific way to meet with others, but I see for some there’s an almost forlorn feeling when our meetings end. It still pales in comparison to any face-to-face meeting. 

The Wall Street Journal recently had an article entitled Why Zoom Can Exhaust Us. I recognize the fatigue. The writer suggests that our exhaustion stems from non-verbal overload and long stretches of direct eye contact. As someone who has worked in Asia for decades, it got me thinking how these new virtual experiences play out cross-culturally. In some places, direct eye contact is a must; attention must be paid. In other parts of the world, however, indirect eye contact just feels more comfortable. 

Having facilitated Zoom sessions across multiple cultures, I've seen (and can feel) weariness, but I actually thought it was due to time-zone differences. Could this be Zoom’s default speaker mode? Staring at anyone or anything for a long stretch can be mind-numbing.

I've found that with Zoom groups of over 20, I get fatigued. Why? Likely from a lack of visual cues. I can’t see the arched eyebrow, nod, frown, or smile. Any eye contact or body language is extremely hard to detect. So after each [large] session, I've often felt something was missing.

However, smaller groups (10-12) work much better for me; the gallery view feels like everyone’s in the room. A dog barking or cat jumping on someone’s desk makes it very real. 

Based on my experience, Zoom meetings accentuate the more reflective team members. As some people prefer to reflect and assimilate information before speaking, the Zoom chat function captures this type of deliberation. Ideas which may have been unheard face-to-face me are now more visibly present, and listened to more carefully. Better yet, at the end of each session, you have a summary of collective insights. 

In the meantime, how can we reduce virtual meeting fatigue?

• Smaller groups, 10-12 attendees, 90 minutes maximum
• Start with the gallery view and cameras on!
• Begin with a straightforward question, ‘what’s on your mind?’ or ‘what are you looking forward to today?’
• Interrupting is easier online. Don't. Just listen.
• Use Zoom’s Breakout Rooms or Polls to keep everyone more engaged.

One thing which distinguishes Zoom's meetings are their Breakout Rooms. Believe me, many substantial conversations can happen within a 5 or 10 minute breakout session. And you don’t need to worry about people wandering off for coffee after the breakout session- the function immediately brings everyone back into the main room when the allotted time ends.

I can't cure virtual meeting exhaustion, but can offer a few steps to make them more impactful. No doubt any fatigue we feel from Zoom is compounded by the environment we’re all operating under. During this time, we can create a welcoming place where everyone feels more connected--needed now more now than ever before.  

If you're feeling a little lost and gloomy, you're invited to join us in our Fortitude sessions. We're running these free-of-charge and hope that these will allow people to connect, find strength and learn how to channel this fortitude in turbulent times.

Hit www.thehorangroup.com and book your session now! We're fully subscribed for our next session on the 30th (thank you for your support) so we've added two more in May!

As always, thanks for listening. See you on Zoom!

#thehorangroup #nowitsclear #careerpurpose #findingfortitude