May 28, 2020

Hi Gang,

Among the many things we evaluate in the recruiting process is executive presence. There are definitions and criteria for this, but it tends to be a “know-it-when-you-see-it” kind of thing. How does the person show up? Does she listen to others and communicate clearly, and with intention? Does he strike you as someone who will remain cool under pressure, inspiring in tough times – the kind of person who engenders confidence among all audiences? Does she command followership? Does he read the room?

These things still matter, of course, but we’re currently stuck with, “Does he read the Zoom?” Reading the room and reading the Zoom aren’t necessarily the same. As explained in this NYT article:

Authentic expressions of emotion are an intricate array of minute muscle contractions, particularly around the eyes and mouth, often subconsciously perceived, and essential to our understanding of one another. But those telling twitches all but disappear on pixelated video or, worse, are frozen, smoothed over or delayed to preserve bandwidth. Not only does this mess with our perception, but it also plays havoc with our ability to mirror. Without realizing it, all of us engage in facial mimicry whenever we encounter another person. It’s a constant, almost synchronous, interplay. To recognize emotion, we have to actually embody it, which makes mirroring essential to empathy and connection. When we can’t do it seamlessly, as happens during a video chat, we feel unsettled because it’s hard to read people’s reactions and, thus, predict what they will do.

While many find these virtual calls to be awkward, there is an upside. Some have said they feel more empowered. Everyone’s box is the same size. There’s no posturing at the table. People are generally friendlier and more curious about one another’s circumstances. I’ve Zoomed with people on boats, in cars, in Japanese tea gardens, in lodges, wrangling puppies, herding cats, making lunch, yelling at their kids, fighting with their spouses… it’s been a lot of fun to get to know all of you in a more personal way.

All of that said, I think we can agree that most interactions are just better in person, and all this Zooming gets tiresome. But virtual work will outlive the virus, and so will the need to read the Zoom. So, today I’ve gathered some resources on the topic (please send others my way to include in future issues).

News & Resources

• The Virtual CEO: This leader took the helm from his living room. Here's how he did it, and what we can learn from him.

• Executive Transitions and Onboarding in a Crisis

• 7 Simple Tips and Reminders for Successful Video Interviewing During Today’s Crisis

• Ensuring Assessment Quality in Virtual Interviews

• Executive Presence: What Is It, Why You Need It And How To Get It

From the Community

• Denali unveils new way of crossing blood brain barrier as the big neuroscience bet enters its clinical years – let’s hope this the game-changer we’ve been waiting for!

Food Fight – send me yours!

Building off Brett Fleshman’s submission this week, today’s winner is my friend Ed Jordan, Senior Vice President, Commercial - North America at DBV Technologies.

Gardener’s comments: “Funny, ’we’ planted a garden for the first time this year. Kids did the fence and tilling, and my wife planted. I commissioned the irrigation and got the plants.” (Ed, ‘we’ did the same thing up here… I hatched the idea and supervised, and my boyfriend got the materials, dug up the yard, built the fence, planted the seeds, fertilized, and now waters the plants. Teamwork!)

A Little Levity

• Hilarious take on NY Gov. Cuomo talking about his daughter’s boyfriend – the answer is always, “I like the boyfriend…”

• Nick Heath, a London rugby announcer offers sports commentary on ordinary mundane life events, like people crossing the street, cats laying on the sidewalk, and bunnies grooming each other (“a former magician’s assistant…” hahaah)

Be well,

Jackie