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Hello Fishes,
One of my colleague is a part of #laidoff.
He is having 13+ years of experience in Project Management (web + mobile application). He has deep knowledge of Agile Methodology using SCRUM & KANBAN. He is a immediate joiner (from Oct 10th onwards) and looking for our support.
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Sunday and already tired 🫠
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Definitely using both of these.

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Cameras don’t promote communication. If your team isn’t communicating well, turning on a camera won’t change that.
That's a great compromise.
Eh, I wouldn't. It will make folks resent team meetings
Please don't be that guy 😭
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.
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.
I would. It would encourage people like me to actually wash their hair.
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.
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.
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 😉
Seein my face won't make me want to talk to my supervisor anymore than I do now
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).
It would be a great way to make your team dislike you. Camera doesn't make better communication. Communicating does.
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/02/new-study-turning-off-cameras-in-virtual-meetings-boosts-productivity.html
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.
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.