Key insights from the conversation

The Future of Work and Interpersonal Relationships

• The importance of relationships and communication in the workplace is emphasized, highlighting a shift from purely technical skills to a balanced approach that values interpersonal connections.

• The challenge of building and maintaining relationships in a virtual setting is acknowledged, with a focus on adapting communication styles and behaviours to foster genuine connections.

Virtual Communication and Presence

• The evolution of virtual communication is discussed, focusing on being present and engaged during video calls.

• The significance of designing a conducive virtual environment is highlighted, emphasizing the impact of background elements and lighting on the viewer's experience.

• The need for expressive communication and attentiveness in virtual settings is underscored, encouraging participants to be mindful of their behaviours and interactions.

Technology and AI in the Workplace

• The potential benefits and challenges of integrating AI into workplace communication are explored.

• A distinction is made between tasks that could benefit from automation (internal processes) and those that require a human touch (one-on-one interactions).

• The importance of balancing efficiency and authenticity in communication is emphasized, with a caution against over-automation in areas that require genuine human connection.

Meeting Etiquette and Participation

• The issue of multitasking and lack of engagement during virtual meetings is addressed, highlighting the need for active participation and presence.

• The potential role of AI in enhancing meeting efficiency and participation is discussed, with a vision of technology assisting in real time to ensure relevant parties are engaged when needed.

• The importance of establishing clear communication norms and strategies is underscored, advocating for a thoughtful approach to meeting scheduling and participation.

Personal and Professional Development

• The value of curiosity and continuous learning in adapting to the evolving work landscape is highlighted.

• The role of personal development and self-awareness in enhancing virtual communication skills is discussed, encouraging individuals to reflect on and adapt their behaviours for more effective interactions.

Full transcript

Here is the full conversation transcript, edited for clarity and conciseness. Here’s also the link to the episode on zync and the blog post on Virtual Sapiens website.

Rachel

Hello everyone, welcome to another Conversations in the Future of Work episode. I'm Rachel Cossar, co-founder and CEO at Virtual Sapiens. In this show, we welcome leaders, coaches, and scientists leaning into the future of work, helping us prepare for it. Today, we have Roberto Ferraro with us. Roberto, could you share a bit about your background and thoughts on the future of work?

Roberto

Thank you, Rachel. It's a pleasure to talk to you again. My background is in transformation projects, including technical, strategic, and cultural transformations, for almost 15 years. I'm also very interested in new technology. I consider myself a curious person, but I know I need to control it as extreme curiosity can pull you in many directions at once. Regarding the future of work, I believe the people and relationship aspect is more crucial than ever. Technical skills and efficiency were sufficient in the past, but relationships, change management, and communication are now vital. This is especially true for online communication and building relationships from a distance, which requires adaptation and skill.

Rachel

Absolutely. And where are you currently located?

Roberto

I work at CaixaBank, a commercial bank in Spain, and it's currently 4 PM here.

Rachel

And so this goes beautifully into my first question. So, thinking about building interpersonal relationships and connections, many people doubt whether you can do that over video. And so I'd love to hear how your way of showing up and building relationships has evolved over the past few years now that we have this virtual communication channel.

Roberto

It's a continuous learning process. Initially, maintaining existing connections was easier, but starting new relationships virtually was challenging. It's important not to treat every interaction as a transaction. Bringing more of ourselves to meetings and sharing personal aspects can help build connections, especially one-on-one. In larger meetings, small disclosures can still make a difference. Also, being more expressive on video can help convey engagement and attentiveness and find the right balance between online communication tools.

Rachel

I love that it doesn't always have to be video. Right? We can communicate in diverse ways depending on the context and preferences. That is a wonderful point. You've highlighted the importance of strategic and behavioural changes in virtual communication. It's crucial to be patient and adapt to these new habits. Could you share some investments or changes you've made to enhance your virtual presence and experience?

Roberto

Certainly. Lighting is crucial, so I have lights on both sides and above me. I use four screens, with the camera in the middle, allowing me to maintain eye contact. I've also invested in a good microphone and a stand for convenience. Additionally, I use a stream deck for shortcuts. While I've experimented with green screens, I now prefer a natural background, as it feels more authentic and helps the audience focus on the conversation.

Rachel

That's a great point. A natural background can indeed create a more authentic and relatable experience. Thank you for sharing your insights and setup. Designing your background with elements like plants can help create a calming atmosphere for your audience.

Roberto

Absolutely, and it's great to get advice on how to enhance your virtual environment. For example, changing the background based on the context of the meeting can make a significant impact.

Rachel

That's a creative approach! It's like a scene change in a performance, adding variety and interest. Are there any particular behaviours that frustrate you when communicating with colleagues on video?

Roberto

Yes, it's distracting and counterproductive when people are engaged in other tasks during a meeting. It raises the question of their necessity in the meeting. Ideally, only those actively participating should be present, and perhaps in the future, technology could assist in notifying individuals when their input is required. And you see when someone is multitasking because they move around the things on their screen, and you see the light changing. It's so clear that they're doing other stuff. So this is really like something that we would never do in person, but on video, we say, "Okay, I will just do this and that; no one will notice."

Rachel

Yes, it's fascinating how people overestimate their ability to multitask. In these meetings, people are doing other things, and they're like, "No, no, but I'm listening. I hear you. I'm participating." And it's not effective. And I think to your point earlier, not everything needs to be a video call. But if a conversation has been set up as a video call, the people on the call should be present and participate actively because this is a shared moment in real-time. It's not like you're reviewing a recording after the fact. So absolutely, yes. Multitasking during meetings can indeed diminish the quality of participation and engagement. If a meeting is scheduled as a video call, attendees should be present and actively contribute to the discussion.

Roberto

Yes, and establishing clear norms and strategies for communication can help determine the most appropriate format for interactions, whether it be a video call, email, or instant message. This can also help in managing the expectations of participation in meetings.

Rachel

Absolutely, and it's important to respect others' time and attention in meetings. Now, zooming out a bit, how do you think AI will influence the future of work, particularly in communication?

Roberto

Wow, this is a million-dollar question. AI has the potential to significantly enhance efficiency, especially for internal processes. However, maintaining a human touch is crucial when it comes to one-on-one interactions. Finding the right balance between automation and genuine human connection is the challenge.

Rachel

Absolutely. I think that's a really interesting way to think about it. The internal processes, the things that are just for you, are where automation can shine and help you be more efficient. But when it comes to human connection relationships, we need to be careful about how much we automate because you're right; it can take away from the interaction's authenticity and genuineness. And people can tell when something's been automated or a response is not thoughtful or genuine. And that's where trust can start to break down. Roberto, thank you so much for joining us today. It's been a pleasure to have you on the show.

Roberto

Thank you, Rachel. It was a pleasure to discuss these important topics, and I hope the audience finds our conversation valuable.