At Home with Tech

Having a job that enables you to regularly work from home instead of the office carries many benefits. Of course, one of the biggest advantages is being able to repurpose all the time that otherwise would be spent commuting. And that usually pairs nicely with maintaining a better work-life balance compared to the office grind from the old days. 

But there’s one big downside that you might not expect. 

It’s the lost human connection.

Sure, some jobs may rely less on this factor than others. But I would say that success in any role depends on your ability to build strong work relationships with your colleagues. No employee is entirely an island, cut off from the rest of the company’s ecosystem.

When you’re tapping away on your home office computer, you might feel more effective with fewer distractions compared to an open office environment. But that in-person community carries plenty of benefits that you may not recognize until after you trade them in for your WFH solitude.

The Perfect Balance

Fortunately, I’m still able to straddle both worlds in my job today, and by doing so, I feel exceptionally fortunate. I’m able to work from home a good percentage of the time. But due to the nature of my career in video production management, I show up for studio and location video shoots. That’s the nature of the business.

Remote video recording technologies that went mainstream during the pandemic and new AI-fueled video production processes are revolutionizing video creation. But, for now, on location video work still usually requires some people in the same place. 

What I’ve noticed over the past few years is how much I look forward to my on-location days. They provide the critical opportunity for in-person interaction that remote Zoom or Microsoft Teams calls simply cannot replicate.

Yes, a Zoom meeting can allow you to see people (if their webcams are turned on). That by itself is a huge non-verbal communications factor (more on this in a moment).

Still, standing face-to-face next to a colleague carries significantly more impact. 

The Water Cooler Effect

I recognize that pointing this out may seem silly, as it should be obvious.

But when we were bombarded by these in-person moments every day, we didn’t recognize them for what they offered. It was just another busy Monday in the office.

But now… with the WFH norm solidly in place for so many, it’s easy to forget what’s been lost.

Today, if you don’t have the opportunity to connect with your work colleagues in person, I would say you’re at a distinct disadvantage.

The good news is a hybrid work schedule erases this problem. Even making the rare in-person appearance can make all the difference in how your colleagues see you.

The Cost of Convenience

It’s been six years since Covid changed the norms of how we collaborate at work. Of course, the pendulum has swung the other way for many, and plenty of workers have been called back to the office. For them, working from home is again just the occasional ‘benefit.’

But others remain permanently remote. And sometimes that’s a self-inflicted banishment.

If that’s you, I would respectfully say you’ve given up more than you know.

Don’t Forget Your Zoom Best Practices

If you have no choice, and your only communications tether to your colleagues is through your laptop, then I would remind you how critical it is to leave your webcam on during your remote meetings. 

No, living in a Zoom box is not the same as sitting in a conference room meeting. But your webcam still gives you the power of non-verbal communication. And that’s so important.

Don’t forget my golden Zoom rule: You’ve got to show up for your close up. 

• Make sure your webcam shot is framed properly, and your face is well lit.
• Remember that your facial cues are constantly projecting your point of view. Use that for maximum impact.
• If you tend to use your hands when you talk, don’t forget to include them in your shot.

It’s as simple as that.

Yes, this takes a little effort (and I know there’s Zoom fatigue). But I would say it’s always worth it.

Visibility Matters 

Simply being present isn’t the same as really being seen.

So, turn your webcam on. If given the choice, show up for that in-person meeting in 3D space.

It makes a difference.

When the day comes that you can use Star Trek hologram technologies to perfectly project yourself, then maybe you can always call it in.

Until then, think twice before entirely discarding the playbook on human communication.