The Consequences Of Poorly Run Video Meetings
The Wall Street Journal recently came out with an interesting article covering a study by Nature on the neurophysiological perspective of video conferencing in an academic environment. As always, it is imperative to go straight to the primary source when such articles come out. The article by Nature is fascinating and highlights a few key points we must take into consideration. 🧠 This is the first study conducted with real scientific rigor, versus the self-reports we have relied on to date. Perhaps not surprisingly, the study supports self-reports: video conferences that are poorly run and trying to simply ‘replace’ in-person interactions cause pretty real fatigue. 🧠 Video conferencing fatigue (VCF) is defined as “somatic and cognitive exhaustion that is caused by the intensive and/or inappropriate use of videoconferencing tools”. 🧠 When comparing a virtual events in an academic environment to the same events conducted in person, the results are conclusive – the in-person version of the event was an energizer, the virtual version caused an overload in cognitive stress and led to a feeling of exhaustion. 🧠 The study also highlights a few important limitations: The scenario under study (an academic environment fueled by interaction and professor/student back and forth) is a specific type of communication event. The group was small, 35 people who had opted in to the study. The virtual experience was conducted in a controlled environment, not in a remote office set up There were no parameters around the actual skill the professor had in running the virtual event. If we take the very definition of VCF itself, we notice a few critical key words being the ‘insensitive and or/inappropriate use’ of video. As I have mentioned in the past, video is not an appropriate tool for everything. For some things, video can be extremely effective. For other things, like for instance, for academic sessions meant to be discussion and brainstorming based, video can be a drag unless you have a master facilitator. Which, we know is simply not the case with most university professors and educators on video. There is a lot of nuance that must be taken into consideration in a study like this. I think the researchers did a great job in identifying the limitations to this relatively small study. What we must be wary of is other people’s tendencies to make snap judgements that are not accurate. As with any study, the reader is left wondering….so what does this mean for me? I think the following quote in the conclusion section of the study answers this question succinctly: “As it is unrealistic to recommend completely abstaining from the use of videoconferencing tools, the future study of effective countermeasures to reduce the fatigue and stress potential of videoconferencing will be critical for sustaining human well-being and health in an increasingly digital world.” And in my opinion, this is where Virtual Sapiens comes in 😈.
SBF – An Analysis by Virtual Sapiens AI
One of the most powerful ways to learn and grow is through comparative analysis. Especially when it comes to improving your communication and presence, being able to analyze and measure the way you show up and communicate under different scenarios is a powerful tool in understanding yourself, and gaining control over the impression you are sending others. Virtual Sapiens makes this all possible with our three distinct ways of getting immediate feedback. We wanted to show you a compelling example of this in action with our Video Upload product. Context: Sam Bankman-Fried (SBF) was recently found guilty on 7 criminal fraud charges. We found a public video interview with SBF from before the hearings, and were curious what our software would pick up on. What we found is fascinating and indicative of the major differences of impression people can send even throughout a single interaction. You can see the full video here for yourself. We have highlighted two distinct segments which seem to divide the content. Segment One: SBF when he is pitching about his vision/selling his ambitions vs. Segment Two: SBF when he is backtracking his involvement/absolving himself from being implicated in the fraud that transpired and lost investors billions of dollars. Let’s take a closer look… Above is a screenshot of SBF’s Virtual Sapiens results from a time slice of him pitching his company. You can see the clip for yourself here. When SBF is pitching his company and vision, he exudes confidence, trustworthiness and energy. It’s interesting to note that SBF was very successful in convincing a huge number of very smart people to invest with his company and trust him with their significant assets. Clearly the way he would deliver his messages under this context was compelling and we can see that Virtual Sapiens confirms this. Now let’s take a look at Segment number two. This is a screenshot of Virtual Sapiens’ analysis of SBF during a clip of the interview when he is trying to defend his ‘lack’ of involvement and knowledge of what was happening ‘under the hood’. You can see the excerpt for yourself here. What. A. Difference. Here, we see his presence plummet. We see his markers of trustworthiness significantly decline as well as his impression of authority and energy. Even SBF’s framing changes because his posture shrinks and he takes up less space within the frame and shows up in the lower half of the frame instead of the upper third as best practice prescribes. Watching this clip also makes me think we should develop some models around leg shaking/bouncing… What does this tell us? Importantly, we are not claiming that Virtual Sapiens is a lie detection software. However, what this analysis highlights is the following: ❗This type of analysis can be especially effective in establishing a baseline, from which you can track changes in impression management based on changes in specific behaviors. ❗ Virtual Sapiens is an effective tool in comparing the same individual across multiple scenarios or communication events. ❗ While this is a drastic and somewhat dramatic example based on the subject matter and individual, this type of exercise is exceptional when you think about the applications for refining pitches, presentations, and analyzing the impression you are sending through your presence and communication. To note, this analysis focuses more on how SBF is showing up, rather than what he is saying. The added context of course is critical and our new suite of tools allows users to specify which analysis is tied to which scenario and includes transcription. If you are curious about your own performance, reach out. We’d be happy to get you set up with a trial account!
How to Boost Trustworthiness and Build Rapport on Video
Episode 4 of Conversations in the Future of Work is LIVE! This week, we welcome renowned behavioral scientist and Director of Education at Social Engineer, Dr. Abbie Maroño, PhD. In this episode we discuss the concept of building trust and rapport in virtual environments as work transitions more towards a virtual atmosphere post pandemic. Dr. Abbie emphasizes the crucial distinction between trust and rapport and also explains the importance in managing one’s nonverbal cues to be perceived as trustworthy. Interestingly, being perceived as trustworthy, does not make you a trustworthy person – But why leave the perception of trustworthiness on the table? Overall, this episode provides the audience with valuable insights and strategies to create more meaningful and effective relationships and navigate the challenges of the virtual environment. https://youtu.be/P2aKFB8wYww
How to Set Yourself Up for Meaningful Conversations
Episode 3 of Conversations in the Future of Work is LIVE! This week, we welcome one of our favorite Europeans – Roberto Ferraro. Roberto was first exposed to Virtual Sapiens through our partners at IMD in Switzerland. In this episode we explore some of the creative ways Roberto has evolved his approach to establishing ‘meaningful conversations’ across channels. Roberto discusses the need for adaptability and a willingness to experiment with different forms of communication to engage and connect with others. From trying out new tech set up components to leveraging tools to build new communication skills specific to this nature of work. And we must say, his virtual presence has improved measurably in his use of Virtual Sapiens. Overall, this episode provides practical and lived insights on how we can adapt our communication styles and techniques to better navigate the world of virtual communication and create more meaningful interactions despite being physically apart. https://youtu.be/u8DMHOxGS3g
How to Avoid ‘Disfluency’ in our Virtual World
Episode 2 in our pilot series of Conversations in the Future of Work is live! This week, we welcome the inimitable Rosemary Ravinal a former international media executive and broadcaster who transitioned to her first love, public speaking and storytelling. Her work, while pervasive across industries, has a strong focus on Spanish speaking leaders, helping them build the confidence to lead in a non-native language. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJpgrqzpTvA In this episode, Ravinal notes the increasing significance of communication skills, including cross-channel fluency and the ability to adapt to different modes of communication in the modern work environment. The concept of cross-channel fluency in particular resonates with me and the work we do at Virtual Sapiens. I have found there is a gap in matching specific communication skills to the appropriate channel of communication. A ‘disfluency’, as Rosemary points out. After all, the way you email is different from the way you might show up in person, which is different from the way you might show up virtually. That’s a lot to think about…but it’s a necessary skills adaptation to our new world of work. Give this episode a listen and feel free to connect with Rosemary directly in LinkedIn.
The Impact of ‘Camera On’ During Video Calls – A Stanford Study
Over the past few years, more and more research has been done on the impact of video calls. In this relatively new way of communicating professionally that crosses borders and introduces communication at scale, there have been divided opinions around what is most effective when it comes to engagement, energy and impact. One of the most contested debates is whether and how much people should turn on their cameras during video calls. Specifically, does having our video camera turned ‘on’ help people better connect and increase engagement…or not? Intuitively, having a video camera turned on means we can create a more human connection. With videos turned on, we see someone’s face, their facial expression and if they are framed properly, we see their posture and comportment in the way they interact and react to the conversation underway. As a recent study by Stanford, ITAM and University of Chicago presents, 50% of professionals surveyed feel the same way. According to this study, having videos turned on equals more engaging conversations and connections. On the surface, this supports the value of video calls as a core way to connect in our new world of work. From our own work at Virtual Sapiens, this is great! However, we also know this to be just one part of the equation when it comes to effective and engaging video meetings. To this effect, we know that how you show up on video influences the impact and outcome of that call. For example, you can have your video turned on, but be terribly out of frame, looking off screen and not showing your upper body. If your video is turned on and you are distracted, or unexpressive, this can actually detract from the overall impact of the call. It’s not just about turning those cameras on. This said, we are always happy to see that most people tend to view video calls as an asset helping them connect with their peers and colleagues at work. What do you think? Reference: Barrero, Jose Maria, Nicholas Bloom, and Steven J. Davis, 2021.“Why working from home will stick,” National Bureau of EconomicResearch Working Paper 28731.
Announcing Our New Talk Show!
We are thrilled to announced the pilot season of our new Talk Show – Conversations in the Future of Work. After being the subject and guest of many phenomenal podcasts, our CEO, Rachel Cossar turns the tables and welcomes some of the amazing leaders, coaches and scientists who have become an integral part of our community. Every two weeks we will air a conversation on different, relevant topics when it comes to preparing for the constantly evolving future of work. This week, I welcomed Beth Rogers, President of Point Taken Consulting. We discuss the critical nature of developing human communication skills in our hybrid world. Check out our first full episode below along with a succinct show summary. Let us know if there is someone you think we should have on our show! https://youtu.be/5IzBZVtxOQY In this particular episode, the host, Rachel Cossar, CEO of Virtual Sapiens, welcomes Beth Rogers, President and owner of Point Taken Consulting. The crux of their discussion revolves around the evolution of the workplace and how effective communication is becoming increasingly crucial in the wake of these changes. Drawing upon her extensive experience from more than two decades working with executives and refining their interpersonal skills, Rogers emphasizes the importance of honing communication as a learned skill akin to learning a sport like tennis. She shares that just like sports, anyone can learn the art of communication and can be reasonably good at it with the correct guidance and practice, dismissing the notion that communication prowess is an inborn quality. A significant portion of the conversation also addresses the implications of the shift to hybrid work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rogers posits that this transition has not only altered the way meetings are conducted but also the skills required to facilitate such meetings effectively. Navigating the hybrid work landscape is a mentally demanding task that requires a lot of learning and unlearning. Understanding your audience is deemed essential to ensure smooth interaction, especially in hybrid scenarios where participants can often feel left out. Beth also compares and contrasts her experiences working with MBA students versus professionals in the field. While there are many overlapping elements, she points out a considerable difference in terms of motivation. She observes that students are driven by the desire to get good grades, whereas professionals usually attend her sessions due to a need to improve some aspect of their work or due to it being a mandated requirement. Irrespective of this, there’s an overarching “Aha!” moment that dawns upon participants when they comprehend how much control they can exert over shaping the perceptions others have of them through improved communication. An illustration of this transformative realization is shared through the journey of her MBA student who successfully ran for student government by applying the skills learned in her course, making a dent in history as the first part-time MBA student to achieve this feat. This episode truly emphasizes the power of effective communication in reshaping personal and professional trajectories. This Talk Show is hosted on the Zync.ai platform.
The More You Practice, The More Your Presence Improves
The data is in. With all of our customers, we track usage-to-improvement rates very closely. After all, our whole purpose is to ensure our users are getting better over time; that the more they use our solution, the more their presence improves. With one of our university partners, we recently conducted an impact report. With over 600 users going through their assessments over the course of one semester, the results were indicative of a few amazing things: ✅ We had a 100% participation rate. For anyone in the world of B2B software sales…you know this is an incredible feat. ✅ Of the total users, 90% of users took more than one assessment with 78% taking the fully allotted 3 assessments. ✅ Looking at trends in improvement, in every single category, those who took 3 assessments saw the greatest improvement. Let’s pause and let these incredible numbers sink in…..🕜 🕔 🕢 For most of AI’s relatively short history, the question of its effectiveness has always been called into question. Within the context of coaching, will humans actually listen to AI’s suggestions? Our data conclusively shows that not only will humans listen to the AI’s feedback, but they will also update their behaviors, building new habits around the way they show up and represent themselves as professionals on video. In our opinion, this is a pretty significant result for our software. At Virtual Sapiens, we work really hard to ensure our AI is as human and warm in its feedback as possible. We also want to provide relevant and actionable suggestions. These results fall in line with our other client case studies, and we are thrilled to share these numbers with you. If you or a team is interested in leveling up your video presence, please reach out!
AI and Universities – Trends to Watch
Universities sit at an interesting cross roads between innovation and traditionalism. When it comes to AI, there are many reasons universities need to tread carefully. But there are also many reasons why they have to begin to incorporate AI into various aspects of university life, and curriculum so that all students (not just those studying the subject) get exposure. In this AMA series with myself and Dr. Abbie Marono, we explore the trends we are spotting in the use of AI at universities. At Virtual Sapiens, we are proud to partner with a number of leading university institutions. Our AI solution supports all students towards developing more updated communication awareness, and skills, for a hybrid world of work. Check out this first installment of our AI and Universities series giving some context on the following question, ‘How are universities leveraging AI to prepare students for the new world of work?’
Yes, You CAN Build Trust Over Video
Recently, the CEO of Zoom, a leader in video conferencing during the pandemic, made the decision to call employees back into the office. Everyone quickly wanted to know…why??? Eric used to be known as the man who conducted all of his most important meetings over video. This month, he stated that his employees are struggling to build trust and get to know one another over the same channel. That the video channel is enabling too much ‘friendliness’ and not enough ‘debate over new ideas’. 🤔 🤔 🤔 Seems like there may be some contradictions going on here. It is not uncommon for companies to have a knee-jerk reaction to call employees back into the office as a catch-all solution to a variety of concerns. From lower close rates to perceived issues with culture, somehow the remote approach to work is getting the bulk of the blame. This is flawed reasoning for a variety for reasons including: Before the pandemic and workforce disruption, economic downturns such as the one we have been experiencing since late 2022 have always been met with a slow down in sales and close rates. Developing a strong company culture has always been a very real challenge, even when we were in the office 5 days a week. Research (both peer reviewed and empirical) has shown that trust can very well be built through video. There are a number of remote-first companies that have existed long before the pandemic, and that continue to thrive now. Their remoteness is viewed as an asset and a value-add. Not an undermining issue. In late 2022, Nature came out with a fascinating study that demonstrated scenarios under which video was just as effective as in-person, with the added benefit of flexibility and convenience, and when video was not as effective. In smaller scale meetings, either team based or with clients, video excelled. It was an ideal platform over which to build trust and rapport. To have intimate conversations and make important decisions. In dynamic, larger scale meetings where brainstorming was required, video conferencing as it is currently available, presented more of a challenge to the breeding of new ideas. When you combine this article with the experiences of companies over the past 3-4 years closing huge deals via exclusively virtual channels, or of powerful coaching, therapy and mentoring connections being forged exclusively through video or telehealth, these statements about being unable to build trust and rapport over video, simply do not hold up. At Virtual Sapiens, we see specific behaviors on video and ways of interacting with video as being the more significant factor in building trust. The way we show up to video meetings can either signal respect and care for those we are meeting with, or the opposite. The way we use video strategically as one channel among others to communicate sets the tone for a dynamic ways to reach out and connect. Video and remote work have unfortunately become a scapegoat for the challenges of working in the 21st century. The real solution lies not in arbitrarily calling everyone back into the office and undermining the very tools we should be investing more in, but rather, pushing the innovative agenda forward. Video as a tool for personal and professional communication continues to be in its infancy. We look forward to being a part of the conversation around how we can continue to evolve human, AI and video interactions to create the most dynamic and creative work experience possible.