Here are a few tips to make sure you’re not “that person.”
If you’re in a group meeting and others are joining by phone, every sound you make will be magnified. Side conversations, snacking, squeaky furniture, and late arrivals all dampen the experience of teleworkers. At best, they feel left out of the action; at worst, they can’t hear what is being said.
Pre-flight your schedule daily so you’re not the one crunching carrots into the mic or crashing through the doors at seven minutes past start time. If you’re leading a meeting, regularly invite input from people online to make their participation meaningful (and truthfully, to keep them awake).
If you’re dialing in to a meeting, make sure you’re on camera. This will prevent bad behavior like multitasking. Even more important, it provides others important visual cues as to when you’re finished speaking or have something to say. This can make the flow of conversation much smoother and avoid awkward pauses and talk-overs.
This is not just a diatribe from someone who’s been through too many glitched meetings. Because working from home can reduce the carbon impact of business by cutting back on travel and commuting, a robust remote working culture is an important part of our transition to a zero-carbon future. Following these tips will make of remote meetings as intimate and as effective as possible.