Christina Farr, a 36-year-old investor in healthcare tech startups, has made a significant change in her work routine by shifting away from Zoom meetings. She shared that this adjustment has brought her increased happiness and better health. Recent research indicates that video calls can be more draining due to the added pressure of being on camera.
The Shift to Phone Calls
Christina Farr made a bold move by transitioning 90% of her meetings to phone calls, leaving only 10% on Zoom. She expressed her contentment with this change, highlighting the benefits of conducting meetings on the move. Farr, who also manages a Substack newsletter called "Second Opinion" with 20,000 subscribers, emphasized the positive impact of taking meetings while walking.
Health Concerns and Remote Work
Speaking to Business Insider, Farr shared that her decision to switch to phone meetings stemmed from experiencing sciatica, or nerve pain, while working for a venture-capital fund remotely in 2021. She recounted the challenges of being pregnant, working from home during a pandemic, and spending extended periods on Zoom calls, which aggravated her condition. This prompted her to prioritize movement by opting for phone meetings.
Embracing Change and Prioritizing Well-Being
Despite initial reactions from some individuals, Farr persisted in advocating for phone meetings. She discovered a shared sentiment among her colleagues, acknowledging the relief of stepping away from video calls. Farr pointed out that not all meetings require visual aids and that phone calls are a viable alternative in most cases.
Perceptions and Preferences
Alyssa Jaffee, a healthcare-tech investor and friend of Farr's, echoed similar sentiments by opting for phone calls in her meetings. She emphasized the misconception that being off-camera is considered impolite, challenging this notion by highlighting the benefits of focusing solely on the conversation during audio calls.
The Case for Audio-Only Meetings
Jaffee emphasized that audio-only meetings can be just as effective, especially for presentations that rely on storytelling rather than visual aids. She noted that the pandemic era heightened the pressure to be constantly visible on video calls, leading to a false narrative about the necessity of being on camera.
Research Validating the Shift
Recent studies, including a report by Stanford professor Jeremy Bailenson, support the preference for audio-only meetings. Bailenson's research on "Zoom fatigue" highlights the strain caused by excessive nonverbal communication in video calls. His recommendation to prioritize audio-only meetings or switch to phone calls aligns with the experiences of Farr and Jaffee.
For individuals like Christina Farr, the validation from research studies reinforces the importance of prioritizing well-being and productivity over conventional norms of video conferencing. Making informed choices about meeting formats can significantly impact overall health and work satisfaction.
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By: mnoyen@insider.com (Maria Noyen)
Title: Why One Millennial Investor Prefers Phone Calls Over Zoom Meetings
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/millennial-investor-happier-healthier-taking-meetings-off-zoom-on-phone-2024-5
Published Date: Thu, 16 May 2024 14:13:37 +0000
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