Here is another valuable Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review. To sign up for a free subscription to any/all HBR newsletters, please click here.
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A video conference isn’t just a meeting over video — it’s an entirely new experience and requires us to adapt our perspectives, habits, and tactics. Here are a few ways to adjust to this new norm.
o First, every presentation coach will tell you that direct eye contact helps to reinforce your point. In a video conference, this means looking at the camera, not your colleague’s faces on the screen. Of course, it’s challenging to focus on your camera for an entire meeting — especially while others are talking — but the more you practice, even for brief moments, the more comfortable you’ll become.
o Next, use a slightly louder-than-usual voice, because in addition to being audible, strong voices convey authority, credibility, and confidence. Be mindful of your background as well. Cluttered rooms make you seem disorganized, so find a spot where the background is simple and professional.
o And pay attention. Your professional reputation can suffer if it looks like you’re distracted. Close your email, turn off notifications on your phone … and don’t forget that you’re on camera.
This tip is adapted from “How to Elevate Your Presence in a Virtual Meeting,” by Joel Schwartzberg.
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Here’s a direct link to dozens of other Management Tips.