Navigating the Zoom Era: Lessons Learned During a Pandemic
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Chapter 1: Embracing Virtual Work
As the pandemic unfolded, many of us found ourselves navigating the world of remote work via Zoom. I embraced this shift, adhering to expert recommendations: establish a routine, rise early, dress appropriately, prepare thoroughly, and take diligent notes. After a year of virtual meetings, I've developed several techniques that I’d love to share.
Keeping a Routine
I planned to stick to a rigid schedule, but it crumbled after just two days. I quickly found myself scrambling to prepare just minutes before meetings. Who was really awake at that hour, anyway?
Dressing for Success... Sort Of
Initially, I would get fully dressed for each meeting—hair done, makeup applied, and business attire on. However, after a few weeks, my dedication to looking polished waned. I transitioned from full makeup to just lipstick and mascara, and my outfit evolved to "business on top, pajamas below"—no shoes or lotion in sight.
On one occasion, I walked through the living room before a podcast appearance, wearing a lovely silk blouse and gold earrings, but paired with nothing but matching blue underwear below. As long as I stayed seated, I thought I was in the clear. My spouse couldn't help but chuckle at my unconventional attire.
Virtual Mishaps
I was usually careful with muting my audio and video until a lively debate erupted among colleagues one day. In a moment of desperation, I started acting like a malfunctioning robot—freezing and jerking my head around. It was as absurd as it sounds. I quickly muted myself and pretended to leave the meeting, sending a text claiming I was suffering from "technical difficulties" due to a poor internet connection.
Sipping in Secret
At first, I would prepare a cup of coffee for meetings, then switched to ice water, and eventually settled on pouring wine into a mug disguised with a teabag string. This way, I could sip my wine discreetly during calls, sometimes refilling it multiple times.
Unintended Freezes
I became a pro at "accidentally" freezing my video during chaotic moments. When my coworkers went off-script one day, I resorted to the robot act again, hit mute, and pretended to exit, citing internet issues via text. My presentations are now less frequent, as my charts somehow seem to have transformed into nearly illegible ghosted texts.
Despite all the quirks of Zoom life, I find myself enjoying the flexibility it offers. The thought of returning to traditional in-person work fills me with dread.
The first video, "2020's Most Embarrassing Zoom Moments," humorously highlights the blunders and awkward situations many experienced during virtual meetings. It's a lighthearted reminder of our collective challenges during this time.
Chapter 2: The Impact of Remote Work on Relationships
As I navigated the complexities of remote work, I found myself reflecting on how self-isolating with my spouse tested our relationship.
“Marriage lets you annoy one special person for the rest of your life.” — Unknown
The second video, "Save your culture, save your company" by Vishal Punwani at TEDxRoyalRoadsU, explores how maintaining company culture is vital, especially during challenging times such as these.
Toni Crowe has transitioned into a writing career after retiring, authoring six books. Her acclaimed business publication, "Bullets and Bosses Don’t Have Friends," earned a Gold Readers Award.
