Although asynchronous communication is generally preferred in remote teams, synchronous communication is still needed. Most companies use a video conferencing tool like zoom.us or Microsoft Teams to handle this.
Video Quality 📹
We often think of conversations as being mostly about voice, but in any face-to-face interaction we are constantly communicating via facial expression, body language, eye contact etc. These types of communication are just as important in remote conversations because they make communication more effective and help us to build relationships.
Because of this you should always have your video on for zoom calls (there are some exceptions). If you're not used to this it can feel uncomfortable at first, but the more you do it, the more comfortable it feels!
You should also think about the quality of your video.
Top Tips for Better Video Quality
- Have your video on by default.
- Always use a laptop (not your phone).
- Ensure your face is well lit.
- Have your webcam at eye level and directly in front of you (if you only have a laptop, raise it up on some books). This is really important for building a genuine connection with others.
- Keep your face in the centre of the frame.
- Use a decent web cam if you have one - most laptop webcams are poor quality.
- Don't sit with a light source directly behind you.
- If you can, give a little thought to your background.
If you do most of these things, you'll significantly improve the experience for other people who talk to you on Zoom.
Group Calls 🖥️
If you follow the advice above, you're all set to have great one-to-one calls. But for group calls there are a few other bits of important advice...
Use gallery mode
Zoom has a number of different video modes. For most group meetings, gallery mode is best because it allows you to see everyone else on the call and not just the person who's speaking – just like in a real-life meeting.
Although this is usually the best option for group meetings, in very large meetings this can sometimes be distracting as it's hard to focus on the person who's actually talking. In this case, use Active Speaker Mode.
You can learn more about Zoom's view modes here...
Using an external monitor
If you have an external monitor, it's a good idea to keep the faces of meeting participants on one, while using the other for notes and/or screen-sharing.
Avoid hybrid calls
If you're working in the same physical location as someone else and both need to join a video call, don't both join on the same laptop. Doing this can make other people on the call feel excluded.
Instead, join on separate laptops just like you would if you ware in different places.
