Etiquette Rules For A Virtual World
As we close in on 4 weeks of our “new normal” and work-from-home reality, virtual conferencing and virtual training have probably become a new normal too. But, does it feel normal for you? Are your colleagues displaying the proper behaviors associated with being live, on-camera?
Perhaps a review of a few etiquette rules and virtual behavior tips may help! Scrimmage has been a remote team in different cities and time zones for years. So, learn from us (including some of our miscues) - brush up on the right and wrong ways to behave in our new virtual reality, virtual world.
Here are a few do’s and don’ts:
Don’t Type – Yes, We Can Hear You! Even worse, it may indicate that you’re not interested and doing something else. On the other hand, if you’re simply taking/typing notes, it is better to handwrite them. And, people will see you are taking notes – and are interested.
Do Pay Attention! On a video call, people can easily tell if you are engaged. It is important to look at your screen, at all times. Likewise, if you’re speaking or presenting, look at your camera (vs. the audience/screen). It will translate into you making eye contact, virtually.
Don’t Eat! They can see you eating, even if they don’t hear you with your audio on mute. Food is still the ultimate distraction. And, let’s be honest, who looks that good eating. Tip – reschedule the food/feeding time for off-camera.
Do Check The Technical Aspects! Even join early to troubleshoot any issues, from connectivity to the audio and video elements. You don’t want to miss the call, or any of its information because of technological ineptness – or, its perception. Also, please be sure that you ended the call / left the meeting, upon its conclusion. You don’t need an audience, especially if you felt less than excited about it.
Do Control Your Background … as much as possible! We all recognize that today we are home, probably working in spaces that are not typical (home) offices and also have family members home with us. Visually, keep your background simple. The less clutter behind you, the better; your audience will focus on you and your wisdom, instead. As for noise, or family members interrupting, a simple sign with the words, “Video Call,” on the door, or to hold up can go a long way to communicate with them and keep any distractions at a minimum.
Don’t Just Leave – Communicate It! If you need to step away, either mention it on the call, or text a colleague on the call if it is a large(r) meeting. And, again, remember to hang up/leave the meeting, and/or turn off your video + mute the audio, if it is just for a few minutes.
Do Look Professional – Look As You Would In The Office, Or At An In-Person Meeting! Whether it is typically a casual workplace, or a more formal dress code, it offers the same cues for virtual meetings. Plus, it makes you feel professional and puts you in the proper mindset for work.
For more resources, tips and ideas to navigate our new virtual reality, download this special Virtual Training Activities Workbook - Interact And Engage - from Virtual Training Expert and Consultant, Kassy Laborie. Learn more, or reach out to Kassy here: https://kassyconsulting.com.
Our mobile learning app easily, seamlessly integrates and houses any virtual meeting link your organization uses - from Zoom & Team to Hangouts, Join.Me & WebEx. For more information on the Scrimmage mobile learning platform for your remote team, request your own demo account here.
About the author:
Sharon Steeley
Sharon is Vice President, Marketing and Communications located in the Philadelphia office.