TD Magazine Article
You may want to keep your webcam off during a meeting, but you could be doing yourself more harm than good.
Wed Jun 01 2022
After nonstop virtual calls, you may want to keep your webcam off during a meeting, but you could be doing yourself more harm than good. Ask yourself these questions to determine whether video is imperative.
1. Does the meeting require your collaboration?
If so, then you want to be able to participate as fully as possible, which means attendees both seeing and hearing you. Your input's impact will diminish if you are only a disembodied voice.
2. How well do you know the attendees?
If you know your fellow participants well, you may not need to have your video on, especially if it is a regularly scheduled gathering such as a weekly standup. However, if new people are on the call, let them be able to put a face with a name.
3. How big is the meeting?
If it's large, say a company town hall where speakers are sharing information but don't expect interaction, you can keep your camera off. In a small meeting, attendees' head nods and other nonverbals enable the speaker to better read the room.
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