Practical guides to presenting, speaking, and communicating clearly
Two people begin speaking at the same moment on a video call. Both stop. Each waits for the other, both restart, and the collision happens again. It feels clumsy enough that someone apologizes, even though neither person was trying to interrupt. Talking over one another online is often treated as a manners problem. Manners can … Read more
A colleague replies to a completed task with “Thanks 🙂.” In a familiar team chat, the small addition may make the acknowledgment feel warm. The same smiley after a message about a missed deadline can feel dismissive, and in an unfamiliar professional exchange it may seem out of place. An emoji does not carry one … Read more
You receive a thoughtful message from a colleague. It acknowledges a problem, explains the next step, and sounds considerate. Then the colleague mentions that an AI tool helped write it. The words have not changed, but you may find yourself reading them differently. Perhaps the assistance seems sensible: the colleague wanted to communicate clearly. Perhaps … Read more
Eye contact works differently through a webcam because the place you look and the place that records you are usually separate. The other person’s eyes appear on your display, while your camera may sit several inches above or beside them. You can be watching someone closely and still appear to be looking away. There is … Read more
During a video call, look mainly where the conversation requires your attention, and use the area near the camera when you want to address the other person directly. That usually means moving naturally between the person’s face, the lens area, and any material you are discussing. Staring into the webcam for the entire call can … Read more