Change Masters Incorporated - The Blog
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Studies show we all have a 6-foot bubble that our energy projects.
That’s about the space of social distancing! How does your bubble impact people these days if you see them face-to-face?
I think this works remotely as well. If you have an energizing “bubble”, people will feel it across two screens. That will make you stand out, trust me!
Executive Presence Tip – Carol Keers
We learn young that riding a bike starts off a little off-balance and even a few scrapes and bruises. Because we get back on the bike after a fall, we soon are zooming around the neighborhood. It becomes a much more natural part of our everyday life. The truth is – riding a bike is not that difficult with a little practice.
There are a few helpful rules like “watch where you are going.” Wear a helmet. The bike may be an occasional personal way to play. It may become a way to go to work every day if you are a city commuter like my brother.
The truth is – videoconferencing is not that difficult after a little practice. It does take some practice to become comfortable. We have clients who took the videoconference to work every day … even before that pandemic. The more they used it, the better they liked it as an effective tool.
If you can interact well in person, you are likely able to interact well on video. There are the same visual and vocal message queues that make in-person work better than audio-calls and email.
Humans have evolved to use two-way visual queues to connect with each other. To optimize that communication, the picture needs to be clear and well lite. Good lighting and good camera position are important.
Eye contact is important. Look at the camera. Like riding a bike – it takes practice. We cheat a little. We use teleprompters to allow us to look directly at the image of the person and the camera at the same time. You can purchase teleprompters for $100 to over $1,000. YouTube videos describe making you own very cheaply.
Nervousness is natural when doing something new. Deep abdominal breathing helps calm the nerves and provide more oxygen to your brain to think more clearly, There are even apps for that … Taking five or ten minutes to breathe – it can do wonders for your day as well as the videoconference participation.
Focus on helping the other person feel more comfortable like you are hosting a party. When you focus on others more than yourself, you have more executive presence and it is easier to relax.
Crafting your message is always a good idea. On a videoconference, it is even more important. Look at the Other Persons’ Point of View (OPPOV ™ ) to choose the most important information.
Particularly in larger videoconference meetings, clear and concise communication stands out in a very positive way. It is important to speak up clearly in group meetings with a firm voice to reach the other participants.
With a little more practice and a few key skills – you can become natural.
Our daughter, Kate, is a terrific nurse in Los Angeles. She is finishing her Masters of Nursing to become a nurse practitioner. She inspires us with her commitment, courage plus compassion.
She told us the healthcare workers really feel supported with all the appreciation being expressed. She said what healthcare workers appreciate even more is:
Social distancing and being careful so we can flatten the curve.
Executive presence tip – Carol Keers
Obstacles are really a guide to uncover where we need to grow. We grow and change in response to challenges. New results come from seeing the problem differently and making adjustments. The bigger the challenge, the more significant the adjustments we need to make.
One of our superpowers is to adjust and take new directions. Losing my job allowed me to finally go into business for myself. With one relationship breakdown, we are often able to find a new one that seems even better.
Today, we have a worldwide obstacle called a pandemic. With all the difficulties – and there are many – people are adjusting in amazing ways. Global environmental pollution is showing ways it can be reduced. Major firms in New York City are declaring that the majority of their employees will likely not return to the giant skyscrapers that define NYC. Remote education can change the dynamics and costs of schools. Business people are learning they can effectively do videoconference rather than spend two days in an airplane for a one-hour meeting.
Human beings need a community. Being deprived of contact has helped us see the value of gatherings, hugs, handshakes and just being together. Being able to clap, scream, and cheer together in a sports stadium or a Broadway play are beloved memories we look forward to seeing again.
We have the superpower of connecting with others. We have the ability to choose to be kind and forgive. We have the power to empathize with the health workers and those struggling to feed their children.
The pandemic of a century ago did not have antibiotics or an understanding of viruses. We are more prepared today than 101 years ago. We now have a new mindset about pandemics that will allow us to be more prepared for the next pandemic. We will have PPE and testing ready. We will figure out how to effectively manage contact tracing. We will be better able to cope.
When we can safely move about our communities and the world, we will have a new appreciation for connection to other people and places. We have the opportunity to think differently about how we define community. We are a global community that is interconnected and share a similar destiny for our viruses and our environment. If we have a new mindset, we can create new results. That is our human SUPERPOWER.