Six ways to survive your next video conference call

We’ve been doing this for weeks, and by all accounts we’ll be settling in together for a lot more hours on video conference calls. Here are six ways to think about making the most of these experiences, both for your short-term goals and for building your professional brand.

#1. Keep your head in the frame. As the call is coming together, consider the composition of your “shot”. Are you hidden in the bottom third of the frame? Is the camera angling up toward your chin and nostrils? You are the cinematographer here. Tilt the camera so that your head and shoulders fill the screen, go for that flattering angle from a bit of elevation, play around with it. An unfortunate angle diminishes your presence, authority, and energy.

#2. Look sharp. It’s not vanity to want to look your best, or even your “good enough for today”. Even though we’re a nation of under-groomed and over-stressed people, there are things that can be done. My brilliant media friend in Toronto has made sure her desk lamp gives the right intensity and color for her setting. My brilliant law professor friend in California keeps a scarf on the back of her chair to grab for instant style and professorial presence. Pulling attention away from a sub-par feature turns it toward the thing you’re saying.

#3. Learn the ropes. There are a lot of different platforms out there and they share most of the same features. When you have a meeting on a new platform, it can be worth the time and effort to become familiar with it ahead of time – where is the mute button, how do the chat and screen sharing functions work, what viewing gallery options do they have? You can also set your “brand” in the platform by choosing your photo and name ahead of time. This may seem like a small step but it can save time and keep you focused on the substance of the meeting rather than the format.

#4. Do a background check. What you say and what you present in a video call is more important than a virtual escape to Hawaii. Before you check in to your call, check out your screen shot to be sure what’s behind you doesn’t distract from your message and your professionalism. Bobblehead collections are interesting, but you don’t want your audience focused on last year’s Red Sox when you’re asking for help with this quarter’s goals. Keep your background simple, clean, and uninteresting.

#5. Be real. Even though these are virtual environments, they are the best we have right now. This is now how we collaborate with colleagues, convince others of our positions, and develop the talent and potential of others. All those skills we use in personal interactions are needed more than ever: active listening, eye contact, attentiveness. Bring your whole self to the moment.   

#6. Give yourself a break. Research is starting to show that all these calls are draining our energy. If you’re finding #5 especially hard to do, take the breaks from the screen that you need. If you have to answer an email or let the dog out, flip off the camera, hit mute, and take the break you need. Just like we excuse ourselves from a conference room for a quick break or un-missable call, use the same judgment in video calls to preserve your sanity and finish the marathon.

You may already be doing all of these things…and more. I’d love to hear about them as we all get better at this.