DIFFICULT ZOOM CONVERSATIONS FOR EXECUTIVES

Viral criticism of leaked speeches highlight how tough it is to light a fire under employees in the hybrid workplace

By Vanessa Fuhrmans and Joseph Pisani

Bill McGowan, who coaches executives in both public and internal communications, said that when leaders do have to deliver tough news on-screen, they should make sure to make eye contact by looking into the lens of their laptop camera. But it’s also important that they can view the full gallery of people in attendance. It becomes easier for leaders to forget their empathy otherwise, he said, just as it’s easier for staff to submit terse questions or grievances in the chat function of the video call. 

“These are real human beings you need to connect with,” said Mr. McGowan, founder and CEO of Clarity Media Group.

Recently he advised an executive who had to calm and motivate staff worried about layoffs. He suggested that she share her own, previous experience dealing with turmoil at work, a time when she lost focus and later regretted it. 

“You have to validate what people are feeling,” he said.

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