Your New Normal: 6 Must-Dos to Up Your Zoom Game

Part of a series making Post-COVID Future of Work more personal. Most thought leaders are opining on THE New Normal — how COVID has changed everything. Here we dig into what, exactly, that means to YOU.

Exactly one year ago, suddenly everyone became a presenter. Everyone had to rapidly figure out how to present themselves, their ideas, their questions, and their needs … virtually.

For some, it was easy and fun. For many it’s been painstaking trial and error. Here I adapt a primer on 6 Must-Dos for Great Presentations into 6 Must-Dos to Up Your Zoom Game. (Using Zoom as a universal stand-in for all virtual teaming spaces and tools.)

1. Be Brief, Be Brilliant: If you can’t always do one, always do the other.

Before you click on that meeting link, assume that everyone is already on info-overload. Think through the one, or two, or three things you want to contribute. Put them on post-it notes on your screen as cue-cards. (You will see your prep-work and reminders, but they won’t.) That way you’ll be focused, brief AND stay engaged in the conversation. And if it’s your turn to share your screen: Use big, compelling images or videos designed to create powerful emotional reactions and engage people in conversation.

(Example: How I might introduce what I need to cover in today’s Zoom call.)

2. You MUST Be Different. You must stand out. 

Whether that’s how you set up your home-office background, or choose your virtual background, or your message, your graphics, your attire, or how you tell stories, or use humor …whatever it is… You must risk standing out or risk being ignored. If you’re not risking being fully you, vulnerable you, or true-to-you, you haven’t pushed far enough. People connect with you as a person. Be that person. Share and share things as passionate you, funny you, caring you. People remember how you made them feel. Create spaces for them to feel something powerful an important. 

(Example: I use this image to introduce something important-but-challenging. I also use pics of funny faces or wear something silly to set the tone for something fun. No matter how you do it: Help people feel whatever you have to say or share.)

3. There Are No "Attendees": Everyone must co-create the conversation.

Audience interactivity is crucial. Ideally, at least one-third of to half of every Zoom call should be allocated for audience co-creation. (True interactivity ... building on each other’s ideas ... not just taking turns talking.) For getting-started tips go here, here, and here. If this isn’t your core skillset, I recommend finding a presentation/facilitation coach or mentor. (This kind of coaching is one of the ways I, and many of my peers, have kept our businesses going during the pandemic.) Honing your communication and facilitation skills will always be super-valuable for your future!

(Example: My go-to facilitation jumpstarter is seeking Ahas: "What are you thinking about right now, that you weren't thinking about before we began?" I then build their Ahas into whatever follows.)

4. Hosting: If there is no call to action, do not schedule a Zoom!

No one has time for more blah, blah, blah-ing. Before you send that calendaring link, make sure you can quickly, easily articulate one or two key action items. Help people with their How To's. Make it clear and easy for people to go do something once you're done.

5. Start With the End in Mind. Define success.

Think through three levels of success: “If I’m successful on this Zoom call, everyone will know [fill in the blank], feel [fill in the blank], and do [fill in the blank].” These three are the universal definition of success for every presentation or call you'll ever make. (Understanding. Emotional Connection. Action.) The [fill in the blank]s are where you tailor for each situation.

6. Finally: Remember that the real work begins AFTER the Zoom chat.

Create checklists or handouts or digital tools to help people get their To Dos done. Email them as attachments or send people links to them after the Zoom chat. Make sure every Zoom chat makes it easy to take action after the call.

(Example: Structure for an Ultimate Meeting Recap. 1. Keep it brief! 2. to 4. Know, Feel, Do.)

Jensen Site, Twitter. Bill’s new book, The Day Tomorrow Said No, is here! It’s a powerful fable about the future of work, designed to revolutionize conversations between leaders, the workforce, educators, and students. It’s THE book for a post-COVID world! Go here to get your copy for FREE!