Zooming Your Bookcase!

Seriously I’ve heard it all. If being confined to home during a pandemic isn’t crazy making enough I now have to consider what books are on my bookcase and that I haven’t left any knickers hanging around.

Online meetings are my norm but I for one had never stopped to consider that colleagues or clients are judging me based on what I read or how well or not I present my home.

Now I find myself distracted from meetings at hand while I ‘spy’ the background of those I’m meeting with. I even got offended by a ‘I hate Maggie Thatcher’ mug some journalist had placed strategically on a shelf behind him and even complained to the TV station (to no avail I might add).

It got me to thinking, as a behavioral analyst, what people would make of my reading choices, my interior design and whether or not I should opt for a designer background for zoom calls. But then I asked myself this question – what does this window into my world say about me?

My reading covers a very wide range, from travel books, to autobiographies, old tried and trusted management books, bibles, cookery books (actually these are my husbands) and an array of novels ranging from spy thrillers, to crime novels, to the classics. They get used, so they are looking a little the worse for wear. They are not in any order, but I know where they are.

Now for the artwork – well at present it’s waiting to be hung, but again it’s a mixture, but all highly pleasing and reflecting who I am. 

I tell myself that my interior design is ‘the Hamptons look’ but given that some of my pieces are 100’s of years old I guess my style is eclectic. It reflects me, my life experiences and if nothing else I love that people feel comfy and peaceful when visiting my home.

So what does your zoom background say about you. Would you contrive a background setup simply to appear smarter, cooler, more sophisticated, I hope not?

One of the greatest gifts we can give to ourselves is the permission to be ourselves. Have confidence in who you are, strengths as well as struggles. Don’t put on a mask of pretence simply to impress others – a) you won’t get away with it and b) why would you?

This is who I am. My DNA profile says it all:

I’m good at guiding people with feelings yet with the determination to reach goals and accomplish tasks. I’m well suited for situations where setting the agenda and recognizing the needs of other people are required. 

I flourish in an environment where there is plenty of stability, group decision-making is needed and where I get recognized for the contribution I make.

I’m creative, I explore possibilities, I’m innovative and driven by ideas. Yet I’m reserved – I analyze and have a high propensity to reflect and am guarded.

My DNA Style:

I am a Facilitator, what’s your style? Find out

Let your on line meetings reflect who you are. Be genuine. Be authentic. But maybe hide the undies!