According to an article published by the Harvard Business Review regarding the results of a study on video meetings conducted in 2022, being on camera is causing fatigue in workers, meaning the issue is not caused by simply being in front of a computer screen. The article stated the results were “quite clear” and explained they found “the number of hours that employees spent on camera was what was associated with fatigue, not the number of hours spent in virtual meetings. It was notable, the researchers wrote, because it runs counter to many managers’ beliefs that being on-camera is crucial for creating engagement among employees.”
Let’s talk about Zoom fatigue – you know that tired feeling after hours stuck in your desk chair in front of a computer screen on camera for hours? If you’re like me, you might wonder if all these post-COVID video meetings are necessary. I spent decades working remotely before COVID, and most of my conversations took place on a standard phone call.
Before COVID, we used to do much more by phone or in person. But now, it’s still all about Zoom, Teams, and other virtual meeting platforms. Don’t get me wrong, these technologies were lifesavers during the pandemic. Lately, I’ve been on the receiving end of quite a few sales presentations and have felt exceptionally burnt out from being stuck in my chair, on camera, and staring at screens all day. I wondered why almost every conversation these days is still on video by default. We increased video meetings because we were out of the office – mainly as a replacement for in-person meetings, right?
Since I was interested in other people’s thoughts, we ran a poll asking if post-COVID video meetings make people more tired than phone calls or in-person chats. And guess what? Nearly two-thirds of respondents seemed to suffer from unneeded Zoom fatigue, while the rest said they were holding up just fine. Why should so many people be forced into video meetings they perceive as detrimental?
Here are the poll results
Do you feel more fatigued from all the post-COVID video meetings that
have replaced phone calls and in-person meetings?
Yes 58%
No 42%
Why are we so tired? It could be because we spend too much time on camera. It could be because virtual meetings lack the synergistic effects of face-to-face chats. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that many people feel something should change.
According to an article by Jessica Dennis, the HR lead writer at TechnologyAdvice, video meeting fatigue causes may include sustained eye contact, nonverbal and cognitive overloads, mirrored reflection, and limited mobility. Jessica shares some good advice: “Using asynchronous communication methods, like emails, direct messages, or voice calls, can be an effective alternative to video conferencing. It allows employees to read, digest, and follow up, if necessary, at their convenience”.
We did have some comments on the poll suggesting many people feel they can forget a better connection with people on video rather than talking on the phone, especially from sales executives who tend to conduct their presentations virtually these days. But here is a critical point: What if your buyer does not want to meet on video? What if they preferred a phone call? Just because you may prefer video (or perhaps your boss requires you to meet with sales prospects on video?) does not make it better for the person on the other side of the screen. Are we alienating some prospects by pushing them into all these video meetings?
Of course, I’m not advocating for the complete abandonment of virtual meetings. They remain valuable and enjoyable in many scenarios. However, let’s consider a more balanced approach. Perhaps we could refrain from making them the default option for every meeting?
If you do a quick web search on “Zoom fatigue,” most of the articles discuss ways to combat or ease fatigue, such as taking quick breaks, jumping jacks, or wearing anti-glare glasses. However, most of the articles fail to mention the simple fact that spending less time on camera would eliminate the cause.
So, what can we do about it? Why don’t we start asking what format people prefer for a conversation? I have found that many folks prefer a phone call when given the option, and many have thanked me for asking rather than always defaulting to video. And why not mix it up with good old-fashioned emails, phone calls, or in-person meetings throughout the day?
In conclusion, virtual meetings are here to stay, but let’s find ways to make our days (and the days of others) less draining.
David A. Netzer
President, Legal Tech Talent Network
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