How To Make Your Virtual Meetings More Personal

By Andy Tryba, who serves as co-founder and CEO of Ionic Partners, as well as the CEO of Gigster and Sparkrock.

Let’s face it: Zoom meetings are bizarre. You’re sitting in a room alone, staring at a flat screen filled with little boxes that resemble a digital version of Hollywood Squares. Most participants are muted, and those who aren’t should be—given the distracting dog noises in the background. To top it off, awkward latency issues plague even the most well-intentioned discussions. But don’t worry: I’ve got a secret weapon to transform your Zoom experience from a chaotic mess to a powerhouse of connection.

Video Meetings: A Necessary ‘Evil’

As the Covid-19 pandemic catapulted video conferencing into our daily lives, we’ve found ourselves spending countless hours staring at screens. A Dialpad survey (via TechRepublic) found that 83% of people “have between four and 12 hours of meetings on their calendars each week,” which accounts for 10% to 30% of their week. It’s clear that virtual meetings are here to stay, so we might as well buckle up and find a way to harness their power.

The Perils Of Miscommunication

Miscommunication in virtual meetings is a ticking time bomb, and the statistics paint a grim picture. David Grossman’s report (via SHRM) reveals that inadequate communication to and between employees costs large companies a staggering $62.4 million per year on average. With so much at stake, it’s time to take action and tackle the virtual communication beast head-on.

The Connection Conundrum

In the sea of digital faces, establishing a genuine connection with others can feel like an uphill battle. Gone are the days of making eye contact, reading body language and reacting to nonverbal cues. Instead, we’re left with the awkward dance of trying to navigate video squares and latency issues, often resulting in miscommunication and misunderstandings.

Regrettably, such miscommunication can have severe consequences. Recently, a male colleague complained to me about a female speaker he perceived as sexist. Whenever he asked a question, she would address the entire group but never him directly. He felt singled out as a male participant in a mostly female gathering. While I don’t think the speaker had any negative intentions, it was evident that this lack of connection affected him profoundly, transforming what should have been an engaging discussion into a disheartening and isolating experience.

The Game-Changing Hack

But fear not, for I have discovered what I consider to be the holy grail of Zoom hacks that can improve your virtual communication and leave you feeling like a true Zoom master.

You’ve made it this far, and now it’s time for the big reveal. Brace yourself for one simple change to improve your Zoom meetings: When someone asks a question, say their name before answering. That’s it. Just like magic, I’ve found that this small gesture packs a powerful punch and can help overcome the limitations of virtual communication.

By acknowledging the questioner directly, you create a sense of connection that transcends the screen. It’s a subtle way to say, “I see you, I hear you and you matter.” This seemingly insignificant tweak can make a world of difference in fostering an engaging and inclusive virtual environment.

Amping Up The Connection

This hack is particularly potent in larger virtual meetings, where it’s even more challenging to create a sense of connection. And the best part is that you don’t need a photographic memory to pull it off, as participants’ names are conveniently displayed under their video squares on many platforms.

Time To Unleash The Power Of Connection

Now that you’re armed with this Zoom hack, it’s time to take your virtual communication skills to the next level. Embrace the power of connection and transform your Zoom meetings from awkward and disjointed to engaging and empowering. Your colleagues may wonder what your secret is—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll let them in on it.