Virtual Meetings: Then and Now

Many of us had become accustomed to virtual meetings, even before the COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread stay-at-home orders. But virtual meetings are happening much more frequently now during this pandemic. And there are some new twists, because these virtual meetings are unlike the virtual meetings we're accustomed to. So perhaps a review of the differences might be useful even to those who are familiar with the pre-pandemic virtual meeting format. Understanding the differences between pre-pandemic virtual meetings and virtual meetings now can help make our virtual meetings more effective.

We're now 100% virtual

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many teams were able to conduct face-to-face meetings, a format known to be far more effective than virtual meetings when humans are involved. And many members of those teams that had mostly virtual meetings before the pandemic were also able to hold some face-to-face conversations with people with whom they were co-located. So before the pandemic there were virtual meetings, but there were also face-to-face meetings, hallway conversations, and lunches and coffee breaks.

Because of the stay-at-home orders, we can no Understanding the differences
between pre-pandemic virtual
meetings and virtual meetings
now can help make our
virtual meetings more effectivelonger rely on face-to-face conversations to supplement our virtual meetings. Whatever puzzles do get sorted out now, get sorted out over telephone calls or videoconferences.

To mitigate the effects of this change, team members can try to meet more regularly — if virtually — in pairs and small groups.

One person, one mic/camera

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, many virtual team meetings consisted of small groups of co-located team members gathering around a single speakerphone or mic/camera to exchange ideas with other sites. Some of those other sites also consisted of small groups. Now, we're (nearly) all working from home — one person, one mic/camera.

When we had small subgroups interconnected through a virtual meeting, the members of the subgroups could converse face-to-face during the meeting. The members of the subgroups could comment to each other, or pass notes, or communicate by body language or by mouthing words. Although these interactions could be distractions, and often were frowned upon, they sometimes made the larger virtual meeting more effective. Now, all conversation usually occurs through the single channel of the virtual meeting. More of the confusions, misstatements, and unworkable ideas go through that channel before they can be sorted out.

To mitigate the effects of this change, use the chat feature of the conferencing software the team is using, if available. If that feature isn't available, try texting.

The home scene isn't the office scene

Attending a videoconference from home is a bit different from attending a videoconference from the office. The two settings differ in every way from background to lighting. In the office, the background of the shot is office furniture, computers, books — very businesslike. In the home the background of the shot could be anything from a kitchen refrigerator to a wall of family photos. Not so businesslike. And the lighting in the office is usually video-friendly. It's bright enough to make for a clear image of the videoconference participant. Lighting at home is usually subtler. Many participants appear in poorly lit silhouette.

Check to ensure that you're projecting the image you want to project. An easy way to check your image is to connect to an expired meeting using whatever meeting software you normally use. If there isn't anyone else in the meeting, the meeting software will probably show you what you look like. (This works for Skype, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom) Another approach is to connect to a meeting with yourself using a second device. It's a little more complicated to use a second device, but usually it's doable.

Whiteboard withdrawal

Especially for complex or technical issues, whiteboards are helpful communication tools. They're most effective when two or three people are working through some kind of puzzle, each person with a marker or two in hand, and everyone standing in front of the same whiteboard. Although there are tools that enable this kind of exchange in the virtual environment, it's difficult to replicate the natural flow and excitement of such face-to-face exchanges.

Most conferencing systems do include whiteboard capabilities, but if your team isn't satisfied with what you have, shop around. Search for online whiteboards. Don't assume that you must decide on a single system for everyone to use. Personal tastes and usage patterns differ.

There are many more differences between virtual meetings then and now, including the wide gulf between home printers and office printers. All these differences affect the flow and effectiveness of the new virtual meeting. Pay attention to what works and what doesn't, and be open to making adjustments.  Top    Next Issue

Do you spend your days scurrying from meeting to meeting? Do you ever wonder if all these meetings are really necessary? (They aren't) Or whether there isn't some better way to get this work done? (There is) Read 101 Tips for Effective Meetings to learn how to make meetings much more productive and less stressful — and a lot more rare. Order Now!

Your comments are welcome

About Point Lookout

Thank you for reading this article. I hope you enjoyed it and found it useful, and that you'll consider recommending it to a friend.

This article in its entirety was written by a human being. No machine intelligence was involved in any way.

Point Lookout is a free weekly email newsletter. Browse the archive of past issues. Subscribe for free.

Support Point Lookout by joining the Friends of Point Lookout, as an individual or as an organization.

Do you face a complex interpersonal situation? Send it in, anonymously if you like, and I'll give you my two cents.

Related articles

More articles on Effective Meetings:

Games for Meetings: III

We spend a lot of time and emotional energy in meetings, much of it engaged in any of dozens of ritualized games. Here's Part III of a little catalog of some of our favorites, and what we could do about them.

Overtalking: III

Overtalking other people is a practice that can be costly to organizations, even though it might confer short-term benefits on the people who engage in it. If you find that you are one who overtalks others, what can you do about it?

Premortems

Premortems are simulated retrospective examinations of future events, conducted as if those future events had already occurred. By combining the benefits of psychological safety with a shift in temporal perspective, they offer advantages for planners.

Self-Importance and Conversational Narcissism at Work: II

Self-importance is one of four major themes of conversational narcissism. Knowing how to recognize the patterns of conversational narcissism is a fundamental skill needed for controlling it. Here are eight examples that emphasize self-importance.

Allocating Action Items

From time to time in meetings we discover tasks that need doing. We call them "action items." And we use our list of open action items as a guide for tracking the work of the group. How we decide who gets what action item can sometimes affect our success.

See also Effective Meetings and Effective Meetings for more related articles.

Forthcoming issues of Point Lookout

Coming September 4: Beating the Layoffs: I

If you work in an organization likely to conduct layoffs soon, keep in mind that exiting voluntarily before the layoffs can carry significant advantages. Here are some that relate to self-esteem, financial anxiety, and future employment. Available here and by RSS on September 4.

And on September 11: Beating the Layoffs: II

If you work in an organization likely to conduct layoffs soon, keep in mind that exiting voluntarily can carry advantages. Here are some advantages that relate to collegial relationships, future interviews, health, and severance packages. Available here and by RSS on September 11.

Coaching services

I offer email and telephone coaching at both corporate and individual rates. Contact Rick for details at rbrenyrWpTxHuyCrjZbUpner@ChacnoFNuSyWlVzCaGfooCanyon.com or (650) 787-6475, or toll-free in the continental US at (866) 378-5470.

Get the ebook!

Past issues of Point Lookout are available in six ebooks:

• Get 2001-2 in Geese Don't Land on Twigs (PDF, )
• Get 2003-4 in Why Dogs Wag (PDF, )
• Get 2005-6 in Loopy Things We Do (PDF, )
• Get 2007-8 in Things We Believe That Maybe Aren't So True (PDF, )
• Get 2009-10 in The Questions Not Asked (PDF, )
• Get all of the first twelve years (2001-2012) in The Collected Issues of Point Lookout (PDF, )

Are you a writer, editor or publisher on deadline? Are you looking for an article that will get people talking and get compliments flying your way? You can have 500-1000 words in your inbox in one hour. License any article from this Web site. More info