Communicate with Power When Working Remotely
Presence is the key to being seen as a high potential employee, wielding influence, and landing consulting clients.
Most people fail to create presence when working remotely.
The list of reasons why is exhaustive:
• Failure to speak up
• Ignoring non-verbal cues
• Camera off
• Bad tech set up
• Multitasking
The list goes on and on and on...Want to give yourself a better chance at success?
Here are 5 steps to follow when working remotely:
Step 1: Say Something
Virtual group meetings are hard.
I used to only speak up if I had "something smart to say."
The truth is that saying something is more important than what you say.
The easiest thing to say when you start is to back up the comments of someone on the call.
Use declarative statements, not questions.
Example: Let's say you don't know what to say during a virtual meeting.
Start with re-stating and affirming what a colleague said. "George makes a good point about pricing. I agree with his opinion."
Then go from there.
Boldness is your friend.
For more on this see UC Berkeley’s Cameron Anderson on “Influence in a Virtual Space”
Step 2: Show up like a Decision Maker
Common wisdom is that nonverbal cues make up 70% - 93% of the impression we make.
Manage how you show up in the frame.
1. Stay neutral - Stop nodding along or smiling with encouragement. It conveys submissiveness. Watch your RBF – don’t look angry – but don’t look like you are giving blanket endorsement either.
2. Look into the camera when speaking – this requires some training, but it can be done. It’s especially important when you are presenting online. Consider yourself a news reporter and look into the camera. Check out this new device that puts the camera right at eye level called Center Cam.
3. Ensure you are in the frame from the chest up – move your monitor back or forward on your desk as needed to get your distance right. Try a monitor mount so that you can adjust the distance as needed.
4. Dress like you are at the office - show up like you are at the table where the decisions are being made. You are a player and have something to add. Believe that the company would be worse off without you and your colleagues will too.
Step 3: Take Up Space
Let’s say you are in a zoom meeting with your camera off and you don't comment. Were you even there?
No one really knows. The goal is to convey energy, presence and engagement.
~Keep your camera on.
~Stay visually engaged.
~Use your body powerfully.
Sit up straight. Widen your elbows. Take up space. Making yourself small is a sign of submission in the wild. The amount of space you take up - verbally in the conversation and physically in your chair – conveys confidence and power. Speak up and sit up.
See this short video on “Acting with Power” by Stanford Prof Deb Gruenfeld for more.
Step 4: Get the Tech Right
Your virtual space makes a difference in how you are perceived.
• Ring lights reflect in eye glasses. Back lighting renders you invisible. Get good lighting.
• Use a good microphone so your voice commands attention. Lower tone = higher impact.
• Use a professional background. Virtual or IRL - either is ok.
Then?
Step 5: Focus
Your attention is your most valuable currency. Use it wisely.
When speaking, look into the camera.
When listening, if you want to convey power, look away briefly.
This may seem manufactured, but watch what senior executives do. They have many things calling for their attention. They get occasionally distracted. If you want to convey power to someone junior or in another group, try this out. Use judiciously.
Show up with power and create executive presence, even when you are working remotely.
Show up with confidence, stay engaged, contribute.
You control how you are perceived.
When you’re ready, there are two ways I can help:
1) I highly recommend the same course ($150) I used to get started posting on LinkedIn (affiliate link): THE LINKEDIN OPERATING SYSTEM
2) 1:1 consulting sessions: GHEIM@GRAYSONHAYDEN.COM