Top 3 Ways to Establish Trust and Credibility in a Virtual World
Over three years ago, the world shut down and we all did our best to adapt from an in-person work life to a virtual one. Our business and personal lives collided like never before and it took time to make sense of it all.
Technology allowed us to communicate and network globally. Within minutes, we travelled to virtual places that would be impossible for us to experience in person. We could be in three countries in one day! Go from the east coast to the west coast within an hour! It truly is something when you stop and think about it.
Everything was moving so fast and slow all at the same time. We were too busy juggling work and life all within the same venue, our homes, that we only dressed half-way, which is when one of my favorite terms of the era surfaced: “zoom mullet.”
What we thought would only last two weeks lasted months, and not knowing when it would end created more stress than many of us could handle.
Three+ years later, the virtual world of work is here to stay. As companies are busy implementing return-to-office initiatives, we all know and appreciate the flexibility that virtual meetings provide.
While the differences between in-person and virtual meetings may seem obvious, we’ve come to learn that creating and building trust is an entirely different ball game.
For example, when meeting someone in-person for the first time, it’s natural to approach each other, make direct eye contact, extend hands, and shake. How, then, can we best emulate this introduction on a virtual call?
We can only engage two of our five basic senses in virtual meetings: sight and sound. Our ability to see and hear each other is important and yet impaired by the quality and nature of a virtual meeting.
To level the playing field, here are three considerations to further establish trust and credibility with building relationships in the virtual world:
1. Show your hands.
In the beginning of the pause, we did our best to find a quiet place in our homes to face the web camera. Over time, we found our way around the filters offered in certain virtual platforms and played with the Hollywood Squares blocks. However, what we were missing in all of this was showing the palms of our hands. One of the first determinants of trust is the ability to see hands.
Wanting to see hands-palms dates to caveman times when it was important to determine the difference between friend or foe. If a hand was tucked away, it was natural to assume that a weapon was hidden in their hands. Our subconscious still works the same way in determining if someone can be trusted. This is like seeing someone across the room at a networking event and noticing that they have their hands jammed in their pockets. Our brains wonder: What are they hiding in there?
When starting a virtual call, try to have your hands out or show your hands as early as possible. A simple wave of the hand “hello” will do in the beginning and end of the meeting.
This may also mean that you adjust your camera angle to show more than just your head and shoulders. Consider distancing yourself about one arm’s length from your computer screen and purchasing a wireless keyboard and mouse. This distance also creates a better opportunity for good posture, which is important to manage your energy throughout the day.
Ultimately, don’t get hung up on what you look like. Just look presentable. Pay special attention to the lighting as it makes the world of difference in how you look and use the virtual background function when your real background is unorganized.
2. Invest in a separate camera and microphone.
While our computer systems have camera and speaker functions, the quality leaves much to be desired. Most sound systems make us sound like we’re underwater, and the camera views have us appear like we’re sitting in fog.
Arrange time with a friend and do a quality check. Ask them how you sound, if they can hear you clearly, and if they can see you well. By achieving this clarity, you create a trusted environment that provides additional evidence that you have nothing to hide.
Keep in mind that these small investments have a big impact on you, your reputation, and your brand. This proves that you understand the importance of clarity in communication in representing your brand.
3. Take breaks.
Zoom fatigue is a real issue. In the beginning, it was hard to imagine that sitting all day could make you tired, but it did, and it still does. It’s a matter of your eye, hand, shoulder, and back health. Initially, most people made do with their kitchen and dining room tables with uncomfortable chairs and their feet off the ground. These are recipes for bad posture which equates to fatigue.
By now you’ve invested in securing a quiet space and more suitable furniture. Check-in with how you feel at the end of the day in your home office. Is there something that you can change to make it more conducive to good posture?
Pre-pandemic, we never really had to think about taking breaks. We had water cooler chats and people walking in and out of our offices and cubes that allowed for small breaks, something we certainly took for granted. Regardless of where we work, it’s important to keep small breaks in mind throughout the workday.
Showing up for meetings exhausted can be perceived as a lack of interest in your work. Keep in mind that when you take care of yourself, others will notice and know that you’re bringing your best self to the table with energy to spare to support others and the work that you do.
In summary, trust and credibility are key to building relationships. Extending and showing your hands eases others’ innate sense of fear when meeting an unknown person.
Investing in ourselves with a separate camera and microphone allows for the clarity our businesses need and deserve. It’s important to emulate the in-person experience as much as possible in the virtual world and paying attention to how people hear and see us supports our personal and professional brand reputation.
Never underestimate the power of a break in between meetings. Stand up and walk around your desk. Take a walk without your phone at lunch, even if it’s short. Stretch your hands, roll your shoulders, and give your eyes a momentary break by looking at something other than your screen and your phone.
By showing up clearly and with purpose, your meetings will take on a positive direction for business success.
Francesca Zampaglione is the Founder & Owner of Dressed Smart LLC, a Brand & Image consulting firm located in the Greater Philadelphia area. Francesca is an international speaker with over twenty-five years’ speaking experience. Learn more about Francesca’s workshop highlighted in this blog post titled “How to Elevate Your Virtual & In Person Brand.” Understand the importance of body language to build trust and lasting relationships for business success.
Her podcast Office Flip Flops features guests from all over the world and inspires in 20 minutes or less. Office Flip Flops lives in all the fun places podcasts live like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Audible and Alexa to name a few. Subscribe and follow today!