BUS600 Week 4 Discussion Forum 1

Zoom Fatigue

The evolving forms of communication have increased especially during the pandemic which has made technology demanding for people, students, and businesses. It shapes the formats on how communications are transmitted and perceived through the use of technology. Specifications entail Zoom, Skype, Google Meets, and video conferencing that are tools used to communicate on a visual level. These forms of technology and high demands has inflicted exhaustion, fatigue, and affects the way that we are able to effectively communicate with professional listening and response of skill sets. “The two elements that reduce the ability to listen carefully are external distractions and internal distractions” (Baack, p. 68, 2021). Awareness and being conscious of these issues such as fatigue being one of them and elements can be addressed through techniques that are available through the web and credible sources, one being to adjust time to decompose from screen time. The ability to put these strategies and techniques into practice will provide an achievement towards successful communications.

Strategies to Communicate Using Technology

Technology has changed strategies, methods in the form individuals listen and interpret the communication languages. Body language and facial expressions are main areas that are considerably focused on because it’s another form of expressing language “nonverbal” communication. “While engaging in active listening, the listener may also pay close attention to the speaker’s behavior and body language” (Center of Creative Leadership, 2021). Active listening involves an open mind to understand the information being discussed/addressed with attentiveness and follows with appropriate feedback with strategies put into action.

Issues that arise in Video Conferencing due to Zoom Fatigue

Video conferencing is considered the new norm for meetings held at home, office, and to connect with others that work in other parts of the world. Excessive use of technology “video conferencing” can cause a negative reaction such as fatigue, “Zoom Fatigue” towards active listeners and feedback. Fatigue, “Zoom Fatigue” decreases the ability to stay focused and on task during a video conference. Arising issues such as stress, changes in behavior, moods, produces a negative conduct during video conferencing. “Without breaks, the levels were negative, suggesting the participants were withdrawn, or less engaged in the meeting” (WTI Pulse Report, 2021). Taking measures to decrease fatigue benefits individuals mental and physical health to perform an effective work environment.

How to Mitigate Referenced Issues

In order to mitigate issues concerning “Zoom Fatigue” is through resources, techniques, and mental therapy. Mental breaks is a way to distress and refresh the mind caused by an overload from back-to-back meetings. Microsoft conducted a research with participants about fatigue and effective strategies to reduce fatigue. “This reset meant participants started their next meeting in a more relaxed state” (WTI Pulse Report, 2021). Other constructive ways to minimize fatigue is to schedule meetings a few hours apart if possible, and importantly implement breaks. The lack of mitigating these issues can jeopardize your professional career!

References

Baack, D. (2021). Management communication (2nd ed.). Zovio.

Center for Creative Leadership. (2021). Use Active Listening Skills to Coach Others. https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/coaching-others-use-active-listening-skills/

WTI Pulse Report. (2021). Researchers Proves Your Brain Needs Breaks. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/brain-research