Mind Your Manners - Even in a Teleconference!

Walking into a meeting, one carries a life time of learned socially acceptable behaviors and manners into the room. However, when participating in or conducting a teleconference, one must be aware of and adhere to the norms of professional etiquette expected during a teleconference.

There's just something about no one being able to see you that may lead to a false sense of casualness that then creates inattentive behaviors and communication that the other members of your meeting are more aware of than you realize. Actually, inattentive participants on a teleconference call are so very easy to identify and disrupt the flow of the meeting; while being completely unaware due to this perceived distance with the other members of the teleconference.

It is important to pay attention and be informed about the social norms of teleconferences. Remember the basics, and apply them to teleconferences. Think about how you would act and speak during a meeting with other people. Then, think about how you would behave during a teleconference.

If you took your behavior during a teleconference and placed it in an office meeting setting, would you be satisfied? If you think that your actions might be a little embarrassing, then here are a few tips to keep in mind. The first step is the most important, and that is to be on time.

It might be tempting to teleconference while sipping coffee and eating your lunch, but don't do it! Treat this meeting just as seriously as you would a face-to-face meeting in your office. Sit at your desk and be professional. Others on the call will be able to hear you moving around, eating, or getting settled and it will reflect negatively on you and your professionalism.

It's also useful to have all your paperwork laid out in an easy to see format. Spend those extra moments waiting for everyone to connect to your conference call to sort this out. It will really pay off in the end with a more organized and well-handled meeting.

Third, the host of the call will usually lay out the format to be followed. Do not make the mistake of interrupting anyone else. Allow ample time for the one speaking to finish his/her thought. This can sometimes be challenging as you will not see the individual speaking and any obvious body language will not be available for you to observe. However, over time and with patience this skill will develop.

Fourth, once you get the ebb and flow of communication during a teleconference call and are able to judge when someone if finished and how to jump into the discussion or present your findings when it is your turn, the bottom line during a teleconference is to be heard, to be remembered, to be an active participant who contributed to the meeting.

In conclusion, whether you are at an on site meeting or a teleconference, the objectives are the same: to make a significant contribution to the meeting, to make a difference, and have a beneficial impact on the goals and results of that meeting. Proper etiquette is expected at all times and any manner other than the accepted norm will not be acceptable. This norm can be achieved by applying the knowledge of professional etiquette expected at a teleconference. After all, you are not just on a telephone call, you are attending a meeting.

Steve Wilheir is a project management consultant. To learn more about teleconference etiquette, check out audio-conference-calling.info. While organizing your team check out our Team Building activities.

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