With the onset of COVID-19 and the need for physical distancing, we are required to adjust to these extraordinary times. Many of us will be taking our businesses and other activities online. An online – virtual meeting is a new experience for many people and crucial for the survival of many businesses, and we need to learn new virtual meetings etiquette.
It is important to remember that a positive impression is just as important online as in person. Probably more so. During online meetings, we sit staring at one another with little distractions. We probably make more observations about a person than we would have done if that person stood in from of us.
To ensure that we present ourselves in the most positive way and conduct productive and successful video and teleconferences virtual meetings follow this etiquette guide:
DO
- Be professional
- Dress appropriately
- Be on-time
- Mute yourself to prevent background noises
- Avoid eating on camera
- Turn video off when doing something distracting
- Be courteous to others on the call
- Be mindful of your facial expression and body language
- Ensure family members are aware of your conference in advance
- Look at attendees and the speaker
- Be comfortable – relax and breathe
- Smile and use appropriate hand gestures
Don’t
- Wait until the last moment to test your online equipment
- Forget your social etiquette skills
- Wear pajamas or undergarments
- Sit on your bed – if possible
- Be late
- Have background noises – it is distracting
- Eat on camera
- Multitask – it’s distracting
- Interrupt others while speaking
- Stare at the camera
- Invite family members to join the conference call without permission from the host
- Be impatient
Emily Harris
Sonia Mckoy