Professionals, at least if they were determined to continue to make a good living, had down cold how to interpret the myriad signals of communications. Everything from the cloud coming over the partner's face in a law firm to the overly accommodating body language of the associate who (everyone knew) was due to be fired.
That was then.
Now, as The Wall Street Journal reports, WFH has changed much of that. It can be difficult to figure out what is going on in a Zoom meeting. The medium is still rather primitive. Much of the visual action isn't ready for prime time.
But, now only is there the challenge of struggling to "read" other members on the remote video transmission. There's also the angst involved in how you are coming across. Most of my communications and coaching clients are dismayed about, for example, "how old" they appear on Zoom. They particularly find that gravity has eaten into their chin line.
So, what to do?
As always, play it safe. The fundamental in communications since the beginning of time is this: Those with the most power set the terms and conditions of the communications. Way back in 1956, sociologist Erving Goffman systemized that in his classic book "The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life." He called the dynamics "the defintion of the situation."
The good news about that is that Goffman hammers that much of that is intuitive. Even the uneducated residents of the village understand the necessity of shaping their interactions to align with how the power structure such as the mayor is defining them. Light tone? or serious? The villagers followed that lead.
The same reality applies to meetings while WFH. Let the power players establish everything from agenda to when to leave. Errors in communications are costly, no matter if they occur in-person or virtually.
Small changes can trigger big success in your career and your business communications. Swing by for a complimentary consultation (janegenova374@gmail.com)
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