When you go to a play or watch a TV show, the environment you’re seeing on stage or screen has been carefully selected. The music playing as you take your seat, the books on a bookshelf, the wallpaper, the collar of a shirt—it’s all in service of the story you’re being told.
When you turn on your camera to join a video conference, the people you’re meeting with are having a similar experience as when they turn on their TV. What’s in the frame is all part of the communication.
A year or so ago, I was on a Zoom call with a dozen people. The person leading the call typically has a very curated background and appearance, but this call was different. A door behind him was open, and through it, we could see a toilet with the seat up. Now, if you had asked me ahead of time, “Do you think X uses the restroom,” of course I would have said yes. But the clear and present reminder of that biological need was directly in everyone’s line of sight on this call. It wasn’t a big deal, but it was out of character for this person, and if it had been me, I wouldn’t have wanted people looking into my restroom.
So maybe it’s worth taking a look around and noticing–what are you sharing? And did you select it, or did it just happen to be there?
Tuesday April 21 at noon Eastern, Angie will be leading the How to Make Podcast That People Actually Listen To masterclass! It’s one hour, and totally free. More info here!
