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6 Virtual Meeting Etiquette To Master

By Modupeoluwa Adekanye

14 September 2021   |   3:02 pm

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The world has changed and most people are now adapting to the digital world and modes of meetings. Meetings and work are now done remotely. Just like it is in the physical work culture, virtual meetings also have their own etiquette. Though most people do not believe in rules, however, rules make us have an…

6 Virtual Meeting Etiquette To Master

The world has changed and most people are now adapting to the digital world and modes of meetings. Meetings and work are now done remotely.

Just like it is in the physical work culture, virtual meetings also have their own etiquette. Though most people do not believe in rules, however, rules make us have an orderly world.

Practising good virtual meeting etiquette ensures professionalism, and it also says a lot about how you handle work generally, whether it is on Zoom or Google Meet.

Below are some virtual meeting etiquette you should not miss out on:

Be punctual
It is easy to get carried away by other activities and miss the time for your meeting. So, set an alarm that will remind you of the meeting 10 minutes before it starts. With this, you can take your time to ensure everything is in place. Late coming for anything says a lot about you, it is an indication that you are not dependable as a person.

Ensure Network Availability
Sometimes, these things are beyond your control, however, it is important to ensure whoever you are having a meeting with is informed about the network difficulties you are faced with. If these issues are not beyond your control, ensure your network is running smoothly and power is stable.

Avoid Disturbance
Shut the door if you can, and try to get yourself in a private office ‘zone’. After the first 1 minute, it is not okay to have your children or pets causing unnecessary distractions. Also, before your meeting starts, check that your camera is not pointed at the sight of anything that will draw attention, a pile of dirty laundry, your unmade bed, or any other form of distraction. If you are in a room with a door, close it, consider putting a “meeting in progress” note on the door, and tell other members of the household to please not interrupt unless it is an emergency.

Dress Professionally
It might feel unnecessary to dress professionally, especially virtually, however, dressing well goes a long way. As for what specifically to wear, steer toward solid colours, and avoid sleeveless tops or anything off the shoulders. Otherwise, you risk looking like you are taking the call without wearing much of anything at all. The best part of actually getting ready while working remotely is that you will put yourself in the right headspace to be productive.

Mute When Necessary
If you are not the one speaking then mute your microphone. Any kind of background noise can be really distracting during a virtual meeting, it can also affect the clarity of the call.

Show You are Concentrating
There are ways to show you are concentrating on the call, especially with non-verbal cues. Nod or shake your head, smile, give a thumbs up, etc. Even if they cannot hear you, they will be able to read your body language and appreciate your responsiveness. Even if the meeting is boring, don’t carry on a side conversation or distract others by pressing your phone, it is disrespectful to the person presenting or speaking. Distractions can be frustrating, especially if distractions mean the organiser has to go back and repeat information that has already been shared.

Ensure you keep your meetings are done professionally and not carelessly.