Adjusting to video conferencing ... and its hiccups

Video is used for screen sharing so you can better describe what you're doing/teach people how to do something. It's got a huge place in work.

And BTW, I've been working at home for years. I don't dress up for it. I suspect most companies will stop doing that soon, if they haven't already. Getting all dolled up with the work mullet (e.g. suit on top, sweats on the bottom) is silly when people can't get haircuts and their kids and pets are running in and out of the frame.

I disagree.

Working from home for a considerable length of time is exceptionally isolating. Seeing actual humans is helpful for mental health. That means faces, not just someone dragging a mouse across a screen.
http://www.workplacementalhealth.org/Employer-Resources/Working-Remotely-During-COVID-19

Long-term remote working means videoconferencing becomes your water cooler. My team likes and wants to see each other. Staying connected is vital. And it's truly important to be doing something which isn't work at times. We work incredibly hard, all of us. 15 minutes of finding out how people's kids are or how they are coping is a vital lifeline. And like I said, we don't dress up.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/mar/25/extreme-loneliness-or-the-perfect-balance-how-to-work-from-home-and-stay-healthy

I agree with jespah on this. Even video conferencing is not as good as face to face in person but it is better than just a voice without a face.

It is harder to know what a person is reacting to something you say if you do not see their reaction. Often times say you are training someone - you cannot see their face - it is hard to know if they really are understanding - it is easier if you see their reaction. Yes - you can ask - but often times they will just say yeah.

One experience I had - I was managing a team that was half way across the country. Some I interviewed over the phone and never saw them in person before. We would have video conferencing with the team often times and I still felt that was a bit strained with those that I never met. There were a couple that had worked in my office and then moved to the new location - I had good relationships with them - but I felt a strained relationship on the others - like they held back or I couldn't get a read on them.

I did travel down there - and did so more often afterwards - once I traveled and met them in person I could tell the relationship was much more different. They responded better to me and were more open when asking questions.

I am not a psychologist but there was a huge difference when I was in person than when I called. And afterwards as well - there is just much more you do not realize that comes into play when working with others than just words and text.

And as far as dressing up - I work in the financial industry so unless I am meeting with a client and they are formal - we dress business casual - there are fee that get dressed up any more.

My current client is several hour flight away so even when I went to visit their offices - it was business casual. I did dress a little nicer than I do in the office - no suit, just nicer slacks/shirk and shirt, they were all dressed casual.