Zoom Fatigue? How to Have Fewer, More Productive Meetings
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, we are spending more time on video calls than ever before, and the phenomenon of “Zoom fatigue” is well documented. So how do we alleviate this? The answer is twofold; stop having unnecessary meetings, and stop wasting time in meetings.
Here are some common meeting complaints, which are applicable to meetings both virtual and in person.
While annoying, these complaints are all easily fixed. Set some guidelines for meetings, share them among your team, and stick to them. Some suggestions that work well:
Latecomers remain in the virtual waiting room and are not admitted to the meeting.
Every meeting must have an agenda, and the meeting must follow that agenda.
Distribute any materials you plan to discuss in advance.
No switching to another tab - others will notice they’ve lost your eye contact.
Have a virtual ‘talking stick’. No stick, no talking. Remind others to pass on the talking stick.
Get permission to cut off that person that yammers on and on.
Those who are not prepared for the meeting are reported to management.
Consider setting a time limit on meetings; 30 minutes should be your maximum in most cases.
Meetings are costly in terms of time and money. Don’t hold a meeting because it’s always been held. Ask yourself if it’s really necessary. Now more than ever, too many meetings will destroy your team’s morale and motivation.
Do you have to have a meeting, or will another form of communication suffice? What are the goals of this meeting, and can they be accomplished just as easily through an email or phone call?
Of course, this is a balancing act. Face time with your team is essential and getting your people into the same (real or virtual) room fosters camaraderie, and enhances brainstorming sessions or problem-solving.
The point is not to discourage meetings, but to discourage wasting time and limiting your team’s productivity, at a time when everyone is particularly fatigued and stressed.
Productive meetings focus on the work that needs to be done, leveraging the brains and personalities of teammates, and working towards your long-term goals.
If a meeting achieves those things, don’t hesitate. Otherwise, take advantage of easier, less time-consuming ways to share information. If people know you value their time, they'll happily give it to you when you really need it.