In a recent video conference via FaceTime, a friend showed me the best practice I’ve seen so far during the coronavirus pandemic: use a sticky note to cover the image of yourself on your screen. 

Brilliant. 

Because it’s just such good common sense. And a reminder that the increasingly powerful tools we make for ourselves to use can use us if we’re not thoughtfully attentive. 

We can’t see ourselves during in-person conversations, right? So why should we let ourselves be distracted by our reflections during remote conversations? What would you think of a person who brought a mirror to a coffee meeting and set it up on the table while you were talking? Isn’t it better to choose a living mirror rather than one made of glass?

The quality of our connection depends on our concentration. 

Now go buy yourself some sticky notes.