3 keys to better, less painful video meetings

I’m seeing a lot of stress in the faces of executives and workers I talk to on video conferences these days.

So here are some ways to think about video conferencing to make it more bearable. I call them “the Rules of Zoom.” I’ll state the rules simply first, then provide some explanation.

The Rule of Visibility.

Create some formal, but simple, mechanism for handing off the conversation to the next participant—such as a hand raise. The discipline required takes some people a little time to learn, but the results in terms of increased clarity are worth it. You’ll experience fewer interruptions and talking over each other.

The Rule of Predictability. 

You absolutely must provide an agenda for a Zoom call that’s going to last more than 30 minutes. And adhere to it by instituting the role of emcee.

The Rule of Transparency. 

You always should begin with a quick check-in around the Zoom circle to establish local issues that might affect the call, such as questions of timing, and so on. That’s because people are often too polite to want to express problems of communication on their end. Then, in the middle of the meeting, take a break for some casual chat to keep the relationships strong.