Leadership Tip

How to fight video conference fatigue

If you’re finding you’re more exhausted after a day working from home than you used to be, you’re not alone. Video conference fatigue is a result of the fact that video calls are more draining than face-to-face meetings. We tend to focus more intently and feel that we have to stare at the screen constantly to signal that we’re paying attention. Here are four tips for making video calls less tiring.

  1. Don’t multitask. Switching between jobs constantly can cost as much as 40% of your productive time. Turn off other apps and focus on the task in hand.
     
  2. Build in breaks. Even just looking away from your screen for a few seconds now and then, while still paying attention to what’s being said, can help.
     
  3. Reduce onscreen stimuli. Research shows that you spend most of the time gazing at your own face, or scrutinising the bookshelves behind your colleagues. Hide yourself from view and encourage people to use plain backgrounds.
     
  4. Switch to the phone. There’s a tendency to treat video as the default, but they can feel intimate, even invasive in some situations. It’s okay to suggest a phone call instead.

HOW TO THRIVE IN THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES

As part of the government's business support package announced last week, we have been awarded funding to deliver our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme "live and online" to help those now working from home. This 10-week cyclical programme offers cutting-edge insights into change, resilience, wellbeing, motivation, teams, communication, strategy, influencing, effectiveness and self-awareness. READ MORE


The above leadership tip...
was sent in response to a question from a participant on our acclaimed 10/10 leadership development and mentoring programme. Whether you're a first time manager or an experienced leader, straightforward, practical advice on best practice is hard to find. Until now. To find out how you, your team or your organisation can benefit, please join us on our next complimentary WEBINAR or CONTACT us.


For more tips...
on leadership and management good practice, subscribe to a Minute with Montgomery on 10TV.


Looking for a first-class speaker...
William Montgomery, Founder and CEO of TEN, is in demand to speak at events and conferences and usually achieves the highest ratings and accolades. To make a speaking enquiry for your next event, whether online, in-house or in public, please CONTACT us.

Subscribe

Free weekly email on things you didn't know last week with links to articles on leadership excellence. To view previous editions click here.


Unlock your potential

Whether face to face, or over the telephone, we can develop your leadership skills, support you in making important decisions, and help you reach your potential.

Read More

Leadership Articles

10 actions for effective communication

High-quality communication is an essential element in business and organisational performance. Effective communication relies on engaging with people, having a commitment to building strong and productive relationships and realising that we communicate... read more

10 actions for advancing your career

Standing out at work isn’t about wearing a flashy hat - though, that could help. The more effective way to make an impact is by developing the skills that will get you noticed. Here are 10 strategies for advancing your career: Make skills... read more

10 actions for achieving best performance

Success does not begin with radically changing the way you work or acquiring new skills: the first step is to take what you already do to the highest level.  However trivial it may seem, if you can do a task more smartly than you did before, and... read more

Leadership Tips

How to lead with integrity

Integrity is one of the most tested traits in leadership. It will challenge your courage, cost you popularity, and often place a target on your back. But true leadership means holding the line -  even when it’s uncomfortable. Here’s how to lead with... read more

How to be likeable

Being likable isn’t about trying to win popularity contests. It’s about creating genuine human connections - the kind that make people want to work with you, trust you, and follow your lead. And the good news? Likability isn’t a mysterious talent that a... read more

How to keep employees happy and engaged

Every leader wants a team of dedicated employees. And yet, many fail to do their part to make this happen. Building a team that is both happy and engaged requires intentional effort. It’s not just about offering competitive salaries or generous perks.... read more