Are You Becoming a Zoombie?

After too many video chats on Zoom, it is easy to feel a little overstimulated. Communicating via video means staring at a screen radiating blue light and looking at small faces for hours on end.

During these endless days of video calls, we want to remind you of the value of engaging in meaningful conversation.

E – emotion check – before you begin a conversation, remember that your emotions are energy in motion (e-motion) and they are contagious. What will people catch from spending time with you?

N – notice the other person; give the gift of your full attention.

G – get clear on the objective of the conversation. What is your desired impact?

A – ask questions and be curious for a deeper more meaningful conversation.

G – give and take is the rhythm of conversation. This means talking and listening.

E – eye contact is key if you are on a video call or face to face.

As you engage, here are a few fun quotes on conversation:

“Americans no longer talk to each other, they entertain each other. They do not exchange ideas, they exchange images. They do not argue with propositions; they argue with good looks, celebrities and commercials.” ~ Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

“The greatest problem with communication is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we do not listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” ~ Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

“The most important thing in communication is to hear what is not being said.” ~ Peter Drucker

“In the best conversations, you don’t even remember what you talked about, only how it felt.” ~ John Green, Turtles All the Way Down

In celebration of good old-fashioned, meaningful conversation without crazy backgrounds, fake smiles or random house tours (if none of these are familiar to you then you haven’t been on enough Zoom calls!) remember to ENGAGE in conversation.