I'm a team lead and I'm the only one who uses my camera during Zoom calls. Should I start mandating camera usage to promote communication?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Cameras don’t promote communication. If your team isn’t communicating well, turning on a camera won’t change that.

likehelpful

That's a great compromise.

Eh, I wouldn't. It will make folks resent team meetings

like

Please don't be that guy 😭

like

Turning on a camera doesn’t make people engage more, it actually makes them resent you more. Sometimes people are in zoom meetings all day and need a break from having to visually show they are “engaging”. Create a culture of engagement and transparency, and not about dictatorship.

like

My boss mandates cameras on and the culture of the team is different since he took over. We were about 80% cameras on before so it's not like we didn't want to have them on, just sometimes you aren't "camera ready" 24x7. Take it easy, relax and let the team engage as they will.

Camera usage should be an option. Some people like to be seen and other don't. I look a hot mess all day long and I'm not going to put on my camera so someone can comment on how tired I look. As long as the attendees are engaged in the conversation, then their isn't an issue.

like

I would. It would encourage people like me to actually wash their hair.

funny

They’re encouraged where I work. I do think it encourages engagement and fosters better communication. You might try suggesting it (or even promoting it with a fun theme like wear your funniest sweater) to see if you can get the same result without mandating it first.

like

Definitely makes a difference!!

Scenarios in which I’ll turn a camera on:
1. On a call with 3 people or less total (myself included), where others turn it on
2. If on a large call where I’ll be talking and not familiar with most attendees

If it’s a regular team call where there’s multiple people I’m familiar with, I don’t see the need for a camera on.

like

IMO it depends on the team size in the meeting. Camera on for 1:1 or may be max 4 people makes sense.
Beyond 4 it’s just too much unless you are a micro manager who likes to see how everyone looks while on the call 😉

like

Seein my face won't make me want to talk to my supervisor anymore than I do now

funny

Not having the full story- I’m guessing that cameras aren’t the issue. Try switching up how you run the meeting to improve communication. When I meet with my teams, I have to ask a “detailed answer” question every few minutes to keep most people engaged otherwise it’s like talking to a wall (you’ll never get everyone to pay attention).

like

It would be a great way to make your team dislike you. Camera doesn't make better communication. Communicating does.

like

I do think it's rude to take a meeting with camera off - in absence of connection problems - when the lead has their camera on. Our CEO is really picky about it and I kind've agree.

If your team lead has their camera on, it just makes sense to show the same courtesy. It's not antiquated, just manners.

like

I will start a meeting with the camera on, say hello, wave, then turn it off for the meeting.

It could be better to talk to people individually on your team to see why they don't feel comfortable having their camera on. As someone that is on camera 6 out of 8 hours of a day and an introvert, it's a huge energy consumption that I have to be ready for. Some days I just need to be able to think during a call rather than being "on" for it.

And if you do end up mandating it (which will cause resentment) make sure to set up some rules around it. Like don't use your camera while your laptop is in your lap so that people don't feel like their in a pseudo porno.

Related Posts

Ever proposed anyone at workplace on Skype/teams 😉??what's the consequences

funnylike

How do you deal with tech-illiterate colleagues? A partner and a couple associates at my firm are so out-of-touch with tech and they're always asking me for help. I want to be helpful, but I also have actual work to get done.

like

Have a really good relationship with current company, but got an amazing offer and very likely gonna leave (signed the offer, waiting for all the background checks to come back). How do you tell your boss you are leaving the company (if boss is not a dick lol) and not ruin relationship?

like

What do you do when a store manager let's a cashier.walk all over the assistant manager? Dm isn't any help. I'm at my wits end! Store manager sticks up for cashier every single time. I've offered to give that cashier my keys . I'm so done with trying to do right, only to have manager make up excuses.

like

How do you deal with ambiguous feedback?

like

Anyone else struggle with lots of team events/dinners during the week? I love my team but need me time at night to be my best self. 1 night out is my max. Thoughts on explaining it to team?

like

I'm a cashier. We just got a new manager, and she's making things really hard for us. She starts work at 4:30am and leaves around 2:30pm, but she still expects us to stay until 6pm and work on the weekends! She gives us really long shifts and doesn't give us much time for breaks. And when we ask her about it, she gets mad.

I'm worried that if I speak up, she'll make my life even harder. I don't want to lose my job because of this—do you guys have any advice?

like

There is a partner that, without fail, calls on Fridays after 6pm anytime I am staffed with him. It’s extremely frustrating since his calls are usually non-urgent and I make it a point to check in early in the day to address anything. Any advice?

like

I have accepted an offer for the role of Director of Data Science & Analytics and I'll be working with old colleagues. I am very excited. I haven't given notice yet because I am waiting for the background check to complete, but my boss just asked me about traveling to a meeting in November. I start at the new job Oct 25. I'm really struggling for how to respond. If I were not leaving it is absolutely a meeting I should be at. I don't want to respond with a lie. Any dvice on how to respond?

likesmart

How do you deal with stub years who are exceptionally bad? I’m not talking about general cluelessness which is completely expected and understandable, but turning in work product riddled with incomprehensible, grammatically incorrect sentences that would fail middle school English. This is honestly the worst I’ve ever seen. Would you just avoid in the future or raise this with a partner? I don’t even know how to talk to this person about this…

like
like

Random question, my boss wants me to become a notary so I can handle notarizing all of the official documents myself. Has anyone else been asked to do this for their employer? Is it ethical?

like

I’m still trying to process seeing an agency exec well known for dismissing and ignoring POC held up as an exemplary diversity champion for women at the 3% Conference.

likesmart

Should I shave my beard for MBA interviews?

like

Within Salesforce, @Quip, Slack, Tableau Software how often are there leadership changes at the VP or above level? Is this an annual thing? X years after acquisition?

likesmart

Just me here hoping that slack never adds the “read” notification on messages.

likefunnysmart

How do you deal with a Midlevel who tells the partner you’ll cover for them, but gives you less than 24 hours notice they’ll be gone without asking if you can cover? I helped out back on July on a deal with they were on vacation, and now every vacation since they keep adding me back on without keeping me appraised of the deal in the interim

like

This is why I secretly avoid 1:1s with my manager!

Post Photo
likefunny

Have you ever snoop through your partner’s phone without them knowing? If so, did you find anything shocking?!

like

My partner has become rather dismissive and exclusionary. Noticed signs of this behavior in the past but lately Im seeing it more clearly

Whats the best way to handle? I want to keep the peace

like

More Posts

Is notice Period negotiable in Optum?

like

Any current or past Thermo Fisher Scientific employee that is willing to share insight of how common is to get the full yearly target bonus?

Is it possible for someone with anxiety to have a career at MBB? Anyone currently in this situation? How do you cope?

like
likefunny

How is the wlb and job security here ?

Sunday and already tired 🫠

like

Anyone want free SEO consultation? So comment and we can connect, looking to build my professional network by answering any questions or providing some guidance.

like

Hi ZSers, is EBl round the final round at ZS
for BTAC profile coz it was the only round I
had after my written test. If yes when can I
expect to hear back from hiring team?

like

Looking to enhance knowledge of back-end rev cycle functions, best practices, benchmarks, etc. What are some good books to read for this?

like
like

Looking for any communication roles. 10+ years of experience in public (local and federal government consulting) and private sector. Either remote/hybrid, or in the DC metro area. Thanks!

like

Where does EY provide the 14 day initial accommodation when someone relocates to London ?

like
like

Seeking recommendations. What firm would allow for the most variety in the type of work I do? For example being on projects for different types of teams like data privacy, cyber security, & strategy?

What happens if I over contributed to 401k because of a job change ? How do I adjust ?

like

I’m looking for a position with a good organization as a 100% remote case manager. A position that meets my salary requirements and has good health insurance. I love case management and found it when I needed a break from bedside. Any guidance would be deeply appreciated!

like

Is Accenture canada expected to do layoffs?

like

hi fishes...i would like to know what would be the yearly hike percentage in CDK Global and EPAM in Hyderabad.Please help me with this.Which is a better company to join.

like
like

Additional Posts in Tech

Why do FAANG companies pay above market not just for Eng talent but other non-core functions? Like HR or other functions that are largely similar anywhere else

like

Any advice on moving from L4 to L5 in Amazon?

like

Equifax What is the salary bracket for 6 years experience candidate at Equifax in Atlanta and also St Louis?

likefunny

What are the healthcare options like in India? I'll be needing regular care and I'm not sure what the insurance providers are and if care works differently in general.

like

Apologies if it is off topic.
My brother has over 20 yoe in electric and 10 yoe in solar engineering including owning his own small solar company. He is looking to relocate to US or Canada. Can anyone provide any lead on which companies provide sponsorship? H1B or Canadian work visa. Thanks!

like

If you were new into the idea of working in tech what could a virtual meetup provide to keep you coming back and engaged?

like

Account management role at Google or product management role at Facebook? (Entry level)

like

Is it easy for engineers to become TPMs?

like

Anyone have experience taking the GCP Machine Learning exam?

like

I have Product Manager interviews starting next week at Google. Does anyone have tips they’d be willing to share? I interview well, I’ve done some prep, and I know the field, but I still have a bit of imposter syndrome and overall nervousness nipping at my edges.

like

What tech companies pay best for business strategy/ops people? Currently making $150K TC with 5YOE

like

I feel like there are more people engaging on professional networking platforms (like this one) right now. I'm wondering what will happen when all goes back to normal. Do you think people will still stay this connected?

like

Does Steve Ballmer own up to his mistakes at Microsoft these days?

like

Hello all,
As a SWE at @
Microsoft, how easy/hard is it to collaborate on research with Microsoft Research? I’ll be joining Microsoft soon but I am also interested in AI research and have published a few papers. Microsoft

like

For anyone who cracked the leetcode questions. I’ve been going at it for months but spend hours trying to get to a solution and hours trying to understand why the “answer key” works. Can someone please share how you learned these questions? Probably going to give up and switch careers soon.

Definitely using both of these.

Post Photo
like

How easy is it to move from an investment bank firm to a tech company?

like

I’m seriously enatkng to get into an SE role and have been searching for Associate Sales Engineers that do NOT require SE experience since I’ve none. It’s proving to be difficult. Most companies for some reason are requiring 2-3 years of experience for the Associate role. 😭 Any Sales Engineers who know of companies hiring those with no experience? I am in tech as a BDR already.

like

Do you have a favorite portable monitor that you can hook up to your laptop?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal