Your State Of Mind

Like many other aspects of communication, we use virtual meetings all the time, and it seems like we’re just expected to know what we’re doing. Then your laptop shuts down and refuses to turn back on. And to top it off, your headphones stop working. This is when having backups can save you. It’s outrageously common, but in all fairness, how many people are ever taught this type of thing? The person could be across the world, but it can still feel like they’re poking their head through our computer and into our personal head space. This is the video call equivalent of the close talker in real life. Additionally, the closer a person is to the camera, the less their body can be seen. If you’re too close to the camera, only your face can be seen by others. I’m sure that you have a great face, but if your audience can’t see anything beyond it, you’re missing out on valuable nonverbal cues that will increase connection, charisma, and trust. Move backward so that you’re farther away from the screen and at least the upper half of your torso is visible to your audience. To look your best, you’re going to want natural light shining on your face from the front. If possible, move your computer in front of a window to get as much natural light as possible.

The Last Resort

The key is to ensure the light shines straight on your face. If you don’t have a window in your room, you can position a lamp behind your computer or get a light ring to brighten you up. Whether it’s fair or not, it’s no secret that how you look plays a role in how people judge your credibility. Fixing your lighting is an easy change that can instantly boost your appearance. The goal is to minimize distractions so that your audience is focused on you and your content. I spent many hours researching, and while I still don’t think there is one specific background to rule them all, I did come across an interesting study. According to the study, people who sit in front of houseplants are perceived as more intelligent, approachable, and trustworthy. Researchers believe houseplants have grown in popularity because people have spent less time outside since the pandemic and crave more nature in their lives. In general, backgrounds with windows and natural lighting also scored well in terms of approachability, intelligence, and trust. As long as there was a window or natural lighting in the frame, people had a more positive perception of the speaker. I won’t ask you to take down your numerous nudes. As a human body enthusiast, I could never do that.

A Hole In The World

The solution for you, my friend, is to invest in a Japanese screen. A Japanese screen, also referred to as a Shoji screen, is a folding screen traditionally used to divide rooms and provide privacy. It can be set up anywhere in your home, and it immediately turns the space into a clean, professional background that you can put away once you’re finished with the call. While a real background is always preferred, if you’re not at home and you’re in a pinch, it may be necessary to use a virtual background. Almost all video call platforms allow you to add virtual backgrounds. There are often default backgrounds on the platform itself, or you can add your own image to use. And because you have the power to do so, you might as well pick a background with a few houseplants in there. While looking professional is important, it’s not something to obsess over. Once the call starts, your focus should be on delivering value, listening, asking the right questions, and helping others. Just like your meetings and phone calls, you can set yourself up for success with a little preparation. Establish your goals for the call, write out a quick list of talking points to keep yourself on track, then shift yourself into an elevated mental state. Remember, your state of mind will have a significant impact on your confidence, your voice, your focus, the energy you give off, and how everyone on the call perceives you.

Don't Talk About It

You may notice I took out the dial step. If you need a little extra boost, you can also add the bonus visualization here. Notice how much better people respond to you when you join virtual meetings feeling this way. Taking twenty seconds before an interaction can have a huge impact on helping you achieve the results and success you’re looking for. Just smile and wave, boys. In a virtual meeting, smiling and waving is the closest thing you can do to replicate a handshake. It’s a gesture of warmth and respect, and it’s the most effective way of creating trust and connection when starting a call. According to a study on video call participants, 30% of individuals stated they spent around half the call staring at their own faces. Are you one of those people? I totally understand. It’s hard not to check yourself out on the screen. If you think about it, this would be the equivalent of staring at yourself in the mirror while talking with someone in real life. But when you’re communicating with another person, looking at yourself is distracting, and it will diminish your ability to engage fully, listen actively, and ask the right questions. Essentially, you’re not putting yourself in the best position to add value to the discussion. If you show appreciation to someone, you’re giving them something they crave on a deep level. Thanks for your time today. I really enjoyed speaking with you. On top of a verbal thank you at the end of the call, sending a quick message within the first few hours afterward is an extremely likable thing to do. This can be a brief thank you email to everyone on the call, or a short text if you have their numbers and want to add an even more personal touch.