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Rising Star
Before the pandemic, we were also usually huddled around a ComTech in the same room.
So we could all talk privately. And it would drive us all crazy that we couldn’t see clients, how they were reacting, who was speaking or who was even in the meeting.
And it was pretty uncommon for someone to take a call remotely.
On a purely practical level, it’s helpful to see who’s speaking, who needs to speak, who’s paying attention, their facial expression.
I agree that it’s dumb to have cameras on when you’re all in a conference room, but I get the desire. The rules have changed.
Rising Star
Sure, but why do it if you don’t have to?
That’s the real reason it’s the norm now. If the tech exists, and it’s the norm, turning your camera off is just making things a little harder for no reason, and makes you look less engaged to clients and coworkers. If someone has the camera off, i just assume they’re running errands.
I totally get it for after hours calls or quick check ins, or if you’re somewhere inconvenient, but don’t believe that’s what OP was asking.
Rising Star
I find seeing faces really helpful in connecting and communicating.
Agree we managed fine before video-calls were the norm.
But we also managed fine before email. Before cell phones. Before laptops.
Agreed. On one hand, we didn’t really have the tech for it pre-pandemic. But now it’s pervasive and unnecessary. I’d do anything for a Polycom these days.
Never thought I'd miss that little WebEx machine in my life.
Technology evolved. We also used to have to fly for in person meeting, we rarely do that now.
I once drove 4 hours 2 states over for a 20 minutes job interview while I was home for break, and then back same day. I've done day trips for meetings (of my own volition) plenty times.
I'm a rare one that enjoys it. And would do it more now if I had the finances to.
I personally hate camera off meetings unless they are informal. Camera on has data to support that the meetings are more productive and engaging..
i like being camera on, but never put my camera on if i don’t feel like being on. even if im the only little square with video off. i do feel like it makes conversations more personable - but we’re all adults and should be able to make that decision for ourselves. anyone that cares enough to make it a problem clearly doesn’t have enough to do
Feel like pre-pandemic, a good percentage of calls were voice only conference calls, which is completely a thing of the past.
Anither theory os that we charge clients a lot for overhead. It proves we are using the office space they are paying for.
I feel the same way. I don’t need a camera on. I think people believe that it’s more personable
Because a significant amount t of communication is non-verbal
You know, this is actually the most helpful insight yet. I'm unable to pick up on non-verbal cues over video so video on is nothing more than a distraction, worrying if I "look right." Video off, I can focus on tone, inflection, and other things I was great at in conference calls. In person is the only time I can understand those cues.
I’m ok with skipping cameras sometimes once I have worked with a team before, but otherwise no camera really irritates me. I’m not saying it’s needed all the time. I just finished a job where during several months the team leads never once flipped on the camera. I find that disrespectful. Eye contact and micro expressions are really important & really help clarify who’s an ally and who one should be wary of, in my experience at least.
This is extremely helpful to understand the other side! Thank you for sharing. I can't process micro expressions over video so they do nothing for me. Tone of voice and language used is what gets me by. I'm glad to know that being overly communicative about my camera usage has been helpful!
Boomer rules
As a boomer, i say stop blaming us!! It ain’t my rule….
I just love seeing the faces of people who don’t interact with me but like to write emails about me. Get a life
Rising Star
It's all about that Puritan ethic. Anything that makes you suffer is good.