Are you confused about where to look when you’re leading a Zoom or Microsoft Teams meeting?
Do you look at the webcam? The box of faces? Or the cat on your keyboard?
We often feel like we need to STARE at the webcam if we’re leading an online meeting.
We feel pressure because, if we are not looking directly at camera and our eyes are darting around, we assume that everyone on the call will make a judgement we are reading our notes, scanning our email… or maybe even tuning out to find a brand new marinara sauce recipe. Yum.
In order to truly engage with a group when leading a Zoom or Microsoft Teams meeting, we need to SEE them. We need to see their eyes, we need to see their facial reactions, and we need to see their body language.
We need to see how our group is actually resonating with the message that we’re sharing. That is one of the biggest measures of true engagement when we are presenting on Zoom.
So, if you’re on Zoom, or Microsoft Teams, don’t just stare at the webcam with wide, giant eyes, forgetting to blink. Why?
1. It will look weird (and a little creepy). And;
2. If you’re not looking at the group you’re connecting with when you’re presenting on Zoom, you can’t determine how – or even if – they’re resonating with your message.
And that means you’ll have no chance to engage.
When you’re on Zoom and Microsoft Teams, look at your clients and colleagues’ beautiful faces.
When you’re on Zoom and Microsoft Teams, look at your clients’ and colleagues’ beautiful faces for true engagement.
Sure, absolutely cast your eyes at the webcam. It’s great to dart back to it frequently.
But most importantly, look at your clients and colleagues. It helps you engage and connect. Even though we are connecting digitally, we never have to lose the personal factor.
– Jordana Borensztajn