Create Genuine Connections Over Video Calls With These Tips
Upgrades to video conferencing and remote work capabilities have made it easier than ever to connect to people around the globe. However, just because it’s easier to connect to people doesn’t mean it’s as easy to connect with people. Forming an authentic bond with people during a meeting or interview is still important, but I’ve found the way you connect can look and function differently on Zoom and FaceTime. There are easy steps you can take before, during, and after your call to help you create a genuine connection over a video call that still prioritizes your physical, mental, and emotional well-being in the process.
Tips To Prepare For A Video Call
Just like with in-person meetings, your preparation should start before the video call itself. A smart first step is to build in a personal buffer before your meeting is scheduled to begin. Video calls have made meetings start and end more abruptly but a few mindful moments to transfer into a call can help you build confidence and avoid unnecessary exhaustion. Zoom fatigue is real and has compounding effects on your health. By taking a few minutes to yourself—whether that’s to practice deep breathing or drink some water—will put you in a much better position to create genuine connections and accomplish more than jumping in directly after another task.
Preparing your space is also a simple act that can increase your comfort and clarity. Organize the windows on your computer so you’re prepared for the meeting and adjust your seat and screen before joining the meeting. Check that the camera is working and gives you enough space for hand gestures—having more tools for communication at your disposal is a plus, as video conferencing only engages our audio and visual senses. The lack of extra senses can lead to more doubt and negative processing during meetings, which leads to difficulties in connecting. The goal is to make yourself your most comfortable, confident self to stay present during your video call—that could mean opening all your necessary files before starting, tidying the space around your computer, or even putting something nice to look at behind your screen.
Tips For During A Video Call
Video calls may feel very different from in-person meetings, but would it surprise you to hear that most communication best practices still apply? Taking a breath before you speak, pausing frequently, and speaking slowly have all been shown to ease the stress of video conferencing. Eye contact is still important, just remember to look directly into the camera when speaking as opposed to the window itself. It also helps to turn off your self-view once the call begins—a constant reflection can affect your confidence during the video call, making you self-conscious of your looks and movements.
Whether in-person or online, genuine connections are built through listening and relating to another person. It’s easy to lose focus and get in your own head on a video call, especially if you have multiple calls scheduled in a day, so start each call with a check-in that doesn’t involve the task at hand. Small talk at the start of the meeting helps ground you and the other participants while building a connection early in your meeting. In a similar vein, be sure to regularly reflect and recognize what you hear others say during your call. If you’re in a large group, acknowledge the person and point you’re responding to before making your own point—it helps foster connectedness and inclusivity, as well as making sure everyone is on the same page.
Tips For After A Video Call
Anyone who has been on a long video call knows that video conferencing can take a toll—both mentally and physically. Screen exhaustion goes well beyond the brain to include eye strain and muscle tension from poor posture. Even further, the lack of nuance that we get with in-person conversations can generate communication dissonance and jeopardize genuine connections. Take breaks away from your screen regularly, including getting up and moving away from your computer. If you find that you’re suffering from back pain, adjust your posture and monitor height.
Video conferencing has already had a major impact on how we conduct business, but we now know more about the personal impact it has as well. While we continue to adapt and grow our capabilities, it’s important to not lose the interpersonal skills and connections that we foster in our daily lives. We can still cultivate genuine connections through traditional means—all it takes is a few adaptations to maintain a healthy and productive outlook on video calls.