How you choose to present yourself on a video call has a lot of hidden meaning.
Most people probably don’t think too hard about how they look in video calls. They may not like looking at themselves on screen but they are used to it by now. But what about the on-screen stage that they are on - what do our choice of background say about us?
Just for fun, let’s explore the secret signals we are sending!
We wear our screens like digital clothes
What you choose to put on backstage us is as meaningful now as our front stage clothing.
Background
The wacky shirt. If you choose a custom background you are trying to hide your reality behind an assumed personality. A sunny beach location suggests a “sense of humour”. An idealised office setting suggests “tasteful irony”. A branded template says “team player”.
Blur
Dressing professionally. Blurring your background suggests you are a “digital native”, accustomed to focussing on yourself and your work no matter where you are - in a coffee shop, at your kitchen table or in an open plan office. I could be absolutely anywhere - don’t you envy my lifestyle?
Be yourself
Smart casual. Choosing to simply appear as you are in your surroundings suggests you are grounded, down-to-earth and making this whole work-life balance thing work. Also check out the carefully positioned artwork and books in my room that I honestly haven’t given a second thought to.