Exciting news! My course, Leading Productive Meetings, has just been UPDATED! The new version is available now on LinkedIn Learning.
Regardless of which style you choose, remember to focus on the fundamentals, and every meeting you hold can be productive. I cover all six principles of a productive meeting in the course, which can be found at davecrenshaw.com/meet.
Can you relate to the phrase “Zoom fatigue” a little too well? I know I can! Thankfully, I’ve found a way around it.
After the historical shift to remote work, this phrase has become a trending sore spot.
According to a study by Stanford’s Virtual Human Interaction Lab, attending video conferences can increase feelings of fatigue and stress.
Why? Well, some reasons listed include excessive eye contact, a reduction in user mobility, and increased cognitive load.
Let’s not even talk about the awkward distraction of trying not to look at ourselves on the screen. Ha!
How do we combat this new version of meeting exhaustion?
Aside from ensuring that the meeting is both necessary and well-organized, there is a way to reduce Zoom fatigue.
Try mixing things up!
I’ve found that utilizing a variety of different remote meeting styles helps a great deal.
Here are the typical virtual meeting types and when best to use each one:
1. Audio-only: A traditional phone conference or Zoom without the camera on. This style is excellent for daily check-ins due to the simplicity and ease of set up. They’re also useful for longer, more intensive meetings, as they allow for improved focus and movement while brainstorming or discussing deeper issues.
2. Video meetings: It’s best to use a video online conference style when expressing emotions is important, such as meeting new team members or collaborating on a project. You can help reduce the video fatigue by allowing attendees the option to turn off their camera as needed.
3. Hybrid meetings: This is a great option when available, as it gives people the option to come in-person or join virtually via audio or video. It offers flexibility, which is always a plus!