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By March 2021, nearly everyone can say they have had experience with Zoom. The web-based platform and app became extremely popular in 2020 due to COVID-19 quarantine, social distancing, and businesses going fully remote. Everything from kids softball practice, to board meetings to client calls happened via Zoom this past year, and still do. It’s inevitable that users are developing Zoom burnout. As the leader of an organization using Zoom, it is imperative that you understand how to address and fix the issue of Zoom fatigue and burnout.

Less is More

First, it’s important to understand the reason behind Zoom burnout. Although it may seem “easier,” it actually demands more energy as you strain to parse the information you’re hearing along with the few visual cues you can glean from staring at your colleagues in tiny boxes. Knowing this, schedule Zoom calls and meetings as infrequently as possible throughout the week. Of course, some things mandate a Zoom meeting, but if not, address the issue via chat or email. The benefit of limiting your Zoom meetings is that when you do schedule a Zoom meeting, attendees will understand that it must be an important matter. 

 

Understand your Responsibilities as a Host

 

Just as attending a Zoom meeting can be draining, hosting a meeting on camera demands more of you to keep people engaged. As the host, you should have a pretty good understanding and plan of how the meeting will go. Besides beginning and ending the meeting on time, make sure that you also make sure the meeting is video-worthy. Maybe you are doing a screen share or going through a new document together, but whatever the reason for the meeting, make sure it is clear to your audience. There is nothing worse than leaving a Zoom meeting and thinking “that should have been an email.” Engage your audience and make it video-worthy.

 

Don’t Stare at Yourself!

 

We all do it, but especially as a host, stop staring at your own face in the screen! Not only is it distracting to the group, but it’s also a distraction to yourself. One helpful tip to stop staring at your own face is to minimize the video. This way you will be staring at the appropriate person or item on the screen.

 

In 2021, Zoom etiquette has become part of the professional package. That means that as a leader, you must create engaging Zoom meetings. In order to avoid Zoom burnout, follow the tips above!