New Guidelines for Video Calls: Turn Off Your Video

Photo by Francesco Ungaro on Unsplash

It’s been almost a year into this pandemic, a year into video calls and a year of feeling all the feelings of fatigue. At first we first embraced zoom and other video platforms to be more connected to our colleagues, loved ones, and friends. We moved everything to virtual: networking coffees, client and team meetings, workshops, conferences, even happy hours. And now we are exhausted.

According to Stanford scientists, our need for human connection also pushed ourselves beyond human limits. Our cognitive load on video is much higher

“In effect, Bailenson said, humans have taken one of the most natural things in the world – an in-person conversation – and transformed it into something that involves a lot of thought.”

After 200 plus hours facilitating groups and coaching individuals on zoom I now understand the science behind why my brain hurts at the end of a day. This got me thinking about my own video best practices and what I ask of participants.

When leading a workshop or meeting I usually ask people to keep their videos on to encourage engagement. Since we can’t be in person, I like to see people’s faces to get feedback otherwise I feel like I’m speaking into the ether. But is that a need that only I have?

As leaders, managers, and facilitators we need to be asking: What does the group need and what do the individuals in that group need? Let’s rethink our video best practices. Let’s consider how we can create the space for people to take care of themselves when on video calls.

I now start my meetings and workshops with a simple statement: “Please feel free to take a video break when you need to.” By communicating this I can give people permission to decide what’s best for themselves, and when people take care of themselves they will have more energy to participate and accomplish the group’s goals.

So in your next video call give yourself and your team permission to tend to your human needs. Encourage everyone to reduce their cognitive load, close their eyes, and listen.

What other guidelines do you incorporate in your video meetings to reduce fatigue?