How to Look Like You Have Your Life Together on Zoom 📷

"Have you got your camera on, Harvey?" my colleague asked for what felt like the thousandth time.

I was sitting in my home office; hair dishevelled, wearing what can only be described as my 'weekend best' (read: looking like I'd been dragged through a hedge backwards), when the familiar Microsoft Teams notification popped up.

Another meeting. Another chance to fumble with the mute button whilst trying to look engaged despite secretly checking my phone under the desk. Sound familiar?

After racking up over 2,000 virtual meetings in the past five years, I've learned the hard way that most remote meetings are, quite frankly, about as productive as trying to teach my cat to fetch.

However, through painful trial and error, I've identified 15 micro-habits that distinguish virtual meeting virtuosos from digital ditherers.

Think of these as your virtual meeting superpower toolkit - no cape required, though wearing trousers is still highly recommended.

Your Virtual Meeting Power Moves:

1. The Early Bird Gets the Bandwidth.

   Log in three minutes early with your camera already on. It's like arriving at a party first—slightly awkward but impressively professional. Plus, it gives you time to check if there's anything embarrassing in your background (like that pile of laundry you've been meaning to fold since Tuesday).

2. The Virtual Hand Raise.

   Use the hand-raise feature deliberately. It's the digital equivalent of not being that person who talks over everyone else. Nobody likes that person, virtual or otherwise.

3. The Strategic Nodder.

   Nod visibly when others speak. This shows you're listening without resorting to awkward "mm-hmm" sounds that make you sound like you're tasting wine rather than participating in a meeting.

4. The Lighting Guru.

   Position your light source in front, not behind. Unless you're going for the witness protection programme look, in which case, carry on.

5. The Camera Whisperer.

   Keep your eyes focused on the camera. Yes, staring at a tiny dot feels weird, but it creates the illusion of eye contact. Think of it as your very own David Copperfield moment.

6. The Name Dropper.

   Use participant names and @ mentions in chat. It's like tagging people on social media, but professionally acceptable.

7. The Room Reader.

   Scan faces every 30 seconds. It's like being at a dinner party—you need to read the room to know when someone is about to reach for the last spring roll.

8. The Mute Master.

   Master those keyboard shortcuts for mute and unmute. Nothing says "I'm a professional" quite like smoothly unmuting without the classic "Sorry, I was on mute" dance.

9. The Hydration Hero.

   Keep water nearby but off-camera. Stay hydrated without looking like you're doing a commercial for mineral water.

10. The Question Commander.

    Pause for questions every five minutes. It's like being a good DJ: You need to read the crowd and adjust accordingly.

11. The Chat Champion.

    Use the chat strategically. It's your secret weapon for sharing resources without interrupting the flow. Think of it as passing notes in class, but corporate-approved.

12. The Frame Game.

    Frame yourself shoulders-up in camera. Channel your inner news anchor - minus the breaking news drama.

13. The Volume Virtuoso.

    Speak 10% louder than in-person. It's not shouting; it's "projecting with purpose."

14. The Handoff Hero.

    End your contributions with clear handoffs. It's like a verbal baton pass in a relay race, but with less running and more talking about quarterly reports.

15. The Accountability Ace.

    Close with clear action item ownership. Because "someone will do it" usually means no one will do it.

Your Action Points for Immediate Implementation:

1. Pick one micro-habit to master this week

2. Create a physical checklist for your workspace

3. Practice keyboard shortcuts when not in meetings

4. Set up proper lighting before your next call

5. Schedule a "practice" call with a trusted colleague

Remember, these habits require no special technology - just intentional practice and perhaps a dash of steely determination. Start with one, master it, and move on to the next. Before you know it, you'll be running virtual meetings so smoothly that people will forget they're not in the same room.

Unless, of course, your cat decides to make an unscheduled guest appearance. In which case, blame the wifi and carry on regardless.

Harvey.

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