Claire HayekFounder, Mind. Soul. Purpose (MSP) Teambuilding · Pressure-Proof Leadership | Neuroscience-based leadership

Would You Walk Into a Meeting With a Bag Over Your Head?

27 Feb 2025 · 1 min

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1:12

In this segment, the speaker links neuroscience to remote work by explaining that mirror neurons fire during empathy and collaboration even when interactions are virtual. She argues that visual communication—specifically keeping video on during meetings—is crucial because roughly 55% of communication is non‑verbal. The speaker urges leaders to set a culture that expects participants to turn on their cameras, regardless of personal circumstances, so that teams can maintain the brain‑based mechanisms that support connection and teamwork.

Chapters

Let's talk neuroscience. Mirror neurons actually activate when we empathize or collaborate, even in virtual settings. Imagine that the power of the brain is not contingent upon somebody being right in front of us. We can actually connect and collaborate virtually. How do we do this properly? So it goes without saying, visual communication. How many of you have a team that is remote or working in a hybrid setting? And when you have a meeting, everybody's video, maybe 90% of your staff have their video off. Would you turn off your video if you're in person? Would you do this in a meeting? Would you hide your face or would you show your face? This needs to be emphasized by the leader. Establish that culture of communication no matter what's going on, okay? Even if you, you're in PJs, even if you don't have your makeup on, you're not feeling good, you're not feeling well, All right, just turn on your video because when you do that, studies show that 55% of communication is nonverbal. So video tools can actually bridge that gap.