The Dos And Don’ts Of Virtual Meetings | 5 Ways To Reduce WFH Distractions | How To Boost Employee Morale

Plus: What duties do employers have to protect employees from the coronavirus?

If the past few weeks have taught me anything, it’s that it takes a lot of effort to look like a natural in front of the camera. Virtual meetings are particularly difficult: In addition to playing the role of on-air talent, you also have to be a camera operator, set designer and sound engineer, all while attempting to make an authentic connection with your colleagues. That’s why we put together this guide to the dos and don’ts of videoconferences.

Do: Check your tech ahead of time. This is all the more important if you’re using a new meeting ID or type of software.

Don’t: Forget about your body language. If your camera is on, assume all eyes are on you. Look into the camera so that you appear engaged.

Do: Remember to smile. At times like these, a simple smile can go a long way toward making a meeting a little more enjoyable for all.

And here’s more on everything you need to know about working from home during the coronavirus pandemic.

For more on working and leading from home, check out our guide, updated daily.

The Telecommuter's Toolkit

Staying focused while working from home is no easy task, especially not when you’re working with other telecommuters. You may not be able to eliminate interruptions, but there are five steps you can take to minimize them. No. 1: If you don’t need your phone for work, put it on silent.

Before the coronavirus turned millions of Americans into telecommuters, some 54% of workers believed they weren’t meeting their potential due to workplace distractions. Can you imagine what that percentage must be today? Ensure you and your colleagues are engaged during this time of distraction and distance by staying curious.

Under normal circumstances, the idea of setting up a virtual happy hour for your team might seem absurd, but there’s nothing normal about the current moment, and the people who make up your workforce have to be a top priority. From setting up one-on-ones with everyone on your team to creating virtual opportunities for connection, here are a few ways to boost morale.

The Break Room

Spa day, anyone? From the Hualalai Spa in Hawaii to the Morpheus Spa in Macau, we asked the directors of the world’s most luxurious spas for their top tips for unwinding at home.