What does your Zoom background say about you?

Do you blur your background? An idyllic ocean? A sleek, modern (personality-less) office? Do you even have your camera on?

Or maybe you’re brave enough to have no filter, with pets, children and partners all joining in! Does it even matter?

Well, yes, depending on the call you’re having, it can have a significant impact.  

Team values and culture 

Imagine this: you’re having your first call with a potential customer, and all they’re looking at is the pile of dirty laundry and an unmade bed behind you. Not a great first impression, right?  

Or envisage your performance review. Your usually casual manager is trying their hardest to be professional. They’ve changed their background from the usual blurred background to the official company background. The new logo and company values you’re not quite sure you understand are peaking from behind your boss.  

Immediately, you know you’re in a ‘different’ call than usual. Fear, confusion and a little bit of wee appear.  

Of course, I’m talking about how our presentation impacts others. When having external calls, this will not just impact your call but also your whole organisation’s brand. The backgrounds are a window into your team’s values and culture.  

Relationships and interactions 

I have multiple calls daily. Within seconds, my unconscious brain has put you in one of the following categories:  

• Corporate - often a nice sleek conference room – ‘we’re in the office and want to show you how nice it is’.  
• The Home Setup - ranging from a minimalist, clean background that screams ‘I don’t have kids’ or ‘I earn enough for a nanny and cleaner’ to a cosy living room that suggests you need comfort whilst working because sometimes you need a lie-down on the sofa.  
• The Virtual Background - again ranging from corporate logo to sunset over the mountains. I like trying to guess just how much mess is sitting behind you.  
• Camera Off. Hmmm. Suspicious. Why no camera? Just got in from a run? Got your curlers in? Or are you somewhere you shouldn’t be?  

Of course, I’m being over-the-top and jovial with my observations. In fact, I’ve been actively provocative. The point I’m trying to make is that every interaction we have can have a massive effect on relationships and how we leave others feeling.   

In a world where virtual meetings have overtaken face-to-face interactions for many, how do we manage these relationships? It’s tough.  

Managing relationships through a screen is like juggling jelly – slippery, tricky and bound to leave a mess if you’re not careful.   

So, how do we navigate these virtual first impressions?  

Tips for managing your virtual presence (without losing your mind)  

Know your audience:

Not every call needs the “official company background,” nor does every call warrant the beachy getaway. Tailor your background to your audience. Casual chat with the team? A home setup with a splash of personality is great. Meeting with the big boss or an important client? Maybe avoid the “I’m on holiday” look unless you want them to ask why they’re paying you.  

Be intentional with your background

Whether it’s that minimalist look you’ve got going on or the bookcase flex (yes, we see those unread books), make it intentional. Your background doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should say, “I’m here, I’m engaged, and yes, I did think about this call a little bit.”  

The power of the blur

For those with more cluttered surroundings, the blur feature is your friend. It keeps the focus on you without broadcasting your housekeeping habits.  

Camera on or off?

Let’s be honest. Sometimes, we’re just not camera-ready. Maybe the lighting’s terrible, or maybe it’s just a ‘camera off’ kind of day. But remember, consistently opting out can come off as aloof or disengaged. Mix it up. Turn that camera on once in a while, curlers and all. Authenticity can go a long way.  

Add a dash of personality: Don’t be afraid to let a bit of ‘you’ shine through. A small plant, a pun-laden mug, or even a pet cameo can make you seem more relatable. After all, behind every call is another real person with a dachshund wanting to be heard (we all have that, not just me… right?).  

Your background might seem like a small detail, but it’s like the cover of a book. People will judge it, whether they admit it or not. So why not make it a good one? Think of it as a chance to tell a tiny story about who you are and what your team is all about, even if that story occasionally involves a barking dog or a toddler in a superhero cape.  

In the end, whether you’re broadcasting from a sleek home office or hiding behind a virtual sunset, remember it’s not about perfection. It’s about connection. So, the next time you hit “Join Meeting,” take a quick look behind you and ask yourself - what does my background say about me today? And more importantly, does it make me smile?  

Because if it does, that’s a win in my book.  

If you’re looking for some support with leading and managing your team, get in touch with our Doug (who wrote this marvellous blog). He’ll be happy to help. Email doug@laughology.co.uk. We can’t promise he won’t have a dachshund sitting on his lap, but frankly, we prefer him that way.