"Should I Follow My Boss On Instagram?" and Other New Workplace Etiquette Conundrums
In this episode of Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, Lapin and guests explore evolving workplace etiquette in the digital age. From navigating the boss-employee dynamic on social media to determining appropriate behavior during video calls, they discuss how to maintain professionalism while adapting to new norms.
The episode covers practical considerations such as whether to follow a boss on Instagram, the acceptability of eating during meetings, and guidelines for camera use. It also touches on larger themes like presenting a professional image online and facilitating engaging conversations in virtual settings. The discussion sheds light on how workplace interactions and expectations have shifted due to increased remote work and use of digital tools.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Dec 20, 2024 episode of the Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin
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1-Page Summary
Social media and professional relationships
Navigating the boss/employee social media dynamic
Nicole Lapin suggests following a boss on Instagram may depend on company size and culture. Jason Pfeiffer agrees, citing his own mutual follow with his boss. However, both advise against bosses following employees' public accounts to maintain boundaries.
Lapin recounts an incident where someone blocked their boss on a fitness app, likely concerned about appearing inactive during work hours. Lavoie warns against blocking bosses if following them.
Maintaining a professional image online
Pfeiffer advises posting only work-appropriate content, as bosses or colleagues may view it. Lapin notes some take online interactions more seriously than others. Bosses can avoid perceptions of favoritism by refraining from excessively liking employees' posts.
Zoom meeting etiquette
Food and drink guidelines
Lapin distinguishes between acceptable snacking (like a protein bar) and unacceptable full meals during meetings. Pfeiffer turns off camera to eat during internal meetings, then returns on-screen.
Camera use norms
Lapin keeps her camera off when driving. Pfeiffer encourages camera-off policies, noting productivity concerns if an unreliable employee has their camera off. Morgan announces note-taking to contextualize typing sounds. Pfeiffer suggests transcription tools like Fathom instead.
Adapting to new workplace norms
Evolving professional communication
Lapin dislikes small talk before virtual meetings but has used unique objects as conversation starters. Pfeiffer advises telling stories or placing intriguing items in the background to prompt discussion while waiting for attendees.
Maintaining a professional presence online
According to Lapin, one's appearance on video calls greatly influences perceptions. She uses Zoom as a mirror to groom herself. Pfeiffer recommends upgrading equipment like high-quality webcams and microphones to enhance one's professional aura during important calls.
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Counterarguments
- Following a boss on Instagram might create an informal atmosphere that could benefit team cohesion, depending on the industry.
- Bosses following employees' public accounts could be seen as a sign of trust and openness, fostering a more transparent work culture.
- Employees might feel motivated to maintain a healthy work-life balance if they know their boss can see their activity levels on fitness apps.
- Blocking bosses on social media could be a personal boundary that employees feel is necessary for their mental health and work-life balance.
- Posting only work-appropriate content online might not reflect the full spectrum of an individual's personality, which can be important for authentic connections with colleagues.
- Bosses liking employees' posts could be seen as a form of positive reinforcement and team-building, rather than favoritism.
- Eating full meals during meetings, if done discreetly, might not be disruptive and could be necessary for long meetings that overlap with meal times.
- Turning off the camera to eat might not be necessary if the company culture is more relaxed about multitasking during internal meetings.
- Keeping the camera off when driving is safe, but it might be more prudent to avoid participating in video calls while driving altogether.
- Camera-off policies could be seen as distrustful and might negatively impact team morale, especially if only applied to certain employees.
- Announcing note-taking is courteous, but it might not always be necessary if the meeting culture understands that typing sounds are part of the virtual meeting environment.
- Transcription tools might not capture the nuances of a conversation and could be seen as impersonal or less engaging.
- Small talk before virtual meetings can be an important part of building relationships and easing into the meeting agenda.
- Using unique objects as conversation starters might not always be appropriate or comfortable for all participants.
- Telling stories or placing intriguing items in the background could be distracting and take focus away from the meeting's purpose.
- Overemphasis on appearance in video calls might contribute to a culture of superficiality rather than focusing on the content and quality of work.
- Using Zoom as a mirror to groom oneself could be seen as unprofessional if noticed by others during a call.
- Upgrading equipment like high-quality webcams and microphones might not be financially feasible for all employees and could create disparities in perceived professionalism.
Actionables
- You can create a professional social media profile separate from your personal one to interact with colleagues and superiors. This allows you to maintain a boundary between your work and personal life while still engaging with your boss and coworkers in a manner that's appropriate for your company's culture. For example, use LinkedIn for professional interactions and keep platforms like Instagram for personal use.
- Develop a personal policy for online activity during work hours that aligns with your job's expectations. If fitness apps or social media could give the impression that you're not focused on work, schedule your updates or posts for before or after work hours. For instance, if you enjoy sharing your fitness activities, consider syncing your app to update your progress automatically outside of your typical working hours.
- Customize your virtual meeting space to subtly showcase your professional achievements or interests. Instead of placing random objects in the background, you might choose awards, certificates, or books related to your field. This can spark conversations during those moments of small talk before meetings and also serve as a testament to your dedication and expertise in your profession.
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Social media and professional relationships
Professionals face the tricky question of whether or not to connect with bosses on social media, and how to conduct themselves online in a way that respects professional boundaries.
Navigating the etiquette of connecting with bosses on social media
Nicole Lapin, Jason Pfeiffer, and Morgan Lavoie discuss the varied considerations when it comes to following a boss on personal social media accounts.
Considerations for following your boss's private Instagram account depend on the size and culture of the company, as well as the nature of the relationship with the boss
Lapin suggests that the appropriateness of following a boss on Instagram may relate to the company's culture—being more acceptable in a smaller company environment. Pfeiffer agrees, adding that it also depends on the nature of the individual relationship with the boss. He cites his own mutual Instagram follow with his boss as evidence that it might not be problematic, depending on the interaction between the two parties.
Bosses should avoid following employees' public social media accounts to maintain appropriate professional boundaries
Conversely, Lapin and Pfeiffer both advocate for bosses to refrain from following employees on social media to preserve professional boundaries. Pfeiffer emphasizes that he does not follow colleagues unless the relationship has become friend-like, to prevent employees from feeling pressured about their boss seeing their posts.
Lapin recounts an incident of someone who followed their boss on a fitness social media platform and later blocked the boss—potentially due to concerns about being seen working out during office hours. Lavoie advises against blocking your boss on Instagram if you do decide to follow them, as this could create its own set of issues.
Being mindful of how professional connections perceive social media activity
Employees should post content that is work-appropriate, as their boss or colleagues may view it even ...
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Social media and professional relationships
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While company culture and the nature of the relationship are important, there may be industries or roles where following a boss on social media is universally seen as inappropriate, regardless of company size or individual relationships.
- Bosses following employees on social media could be seen as a way to humanize themselves and build camaraderie, provided it's done with clear guidelines and consent from employees.
- The expectation for employees to only post work-appropriate content on personal social media accounts could be viewed as an infringement on the ...
Actionables
- Create a separate professional social media profile to interact with colleagues and superiors, ensuring that your posts and engagements are always work-appropriate and reflect your professional persona. This helps maintain a clear boundary between your personal and professional life and avoids any potential issues with bosses or colleagues seeing content that isn't relevant to your work environment.
- Develop a personal policy for social media use that outlines when and how you'll engage with coworkers and superiors online, including criteria for accepting or sending friend requests. This self-imposed guideline ensures you make consistent decisions that align with maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding perceptions of favoritism.
- Use content scheduling tools to plan and review your ...
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Zoom meeting etiquette
Nicole Lapin and Jason Pfeiffer discuss guidelines for conduct during Zoom meetings, particularly around eating, camera use, and managing noise.
Establishing norms around eating and drinking during meetings
When it comes to eating during a Zoom meeting, Nicole Lapin notes that there's a difference between acceptable and unacceptable foods. Light snacking, like grabbing a power bar during an all-hands meeting, is generally okay, but tucking into elaborate meals such as fajitas or Indian food should be avoided.
Jason Pfeiffer adds to the discussion by stating his personal rule for internal, casual meetings: he never has food in his mouth while on camera. He prefers to lean off camera to take a bite and then return to the frame to continue the meeting. This suggests that stepping away from the camera to eat, whether leaning out of frame or turning off the camera, is a comfortable option for some.
Deciding when to have cameras turned off
Turning off cameras during Zoom meetings can be acceptable and even preferred in some work cultures. Lapin gives an example of keeping her camera off in situations where being on camera might not be appropriate, such as when she is driving.
Pfeiffer shares that listeners should encourage their company culture to adopt the practice of having cameras turned off. He often receives thanks from meeting participants for allowing them the option to turn off cameras. Entrepreneur, Pfeiffer's company, often conducts meetings with cameras off, inspired by certain colleagues' preferences.
However, Pfeiffer recognizes that concerns about focus and productivity can occur, mainly if having the camera off is not the norm. If an employee suspected o ...
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Zoom meeting etiquette
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While light snacking may be acceptable, it can still be distracting or unprofessional in certain meeting contexts, regardless of the type of food.
- Stepping away from the camera to eat might not always be feasible, especially in interactive meetings where constant engagement is required.
- Having cameras turned off could potentially hinder team cohesion and the building of interpersonal relationships within a remote team.
- The appreciation for the option to turn off cameras might not extend to all participants, as some may prefer or expect to see their colleagues for a more engaging meeting experience.
- The idea that the privilege to turn off the camera must be 'earned' could create an unnecessary hierarchy or sense of mistrust among team members.
- Announcing actions like ...
Actionables
- Create a 'meeting snack box' with pre-portioned, quiet snacks to avoid distractions and maintain professionalism during video calls. By having a designated box or container with snacks that are easy to eat and don't create noise or mess, you can discreetly fuel up without drawing attention away from the meeting. Think of items like dried fruits, nuts, or cheese cubes that are not only healthy but also won't interrupt the flow of discussion.
- Develop a personal etiquette guide for video calls that includes when to turn off the camera and how to communicate non-verbally when doing so. This guide could be a simple checklist or set of rules you follow to ensure you're respecting the meeting's norms and others' preferences. For example, if you need to step away or eat, you could have a predetermined signal or message to indicate this to others, such as a post-it note on the camera or a quick chat message.
- Use a secondary device like a ta ...
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Adapting to new workplace norms in the digital age
In the digital age, the workplace has undergone significant changes, especially in communication and presentation. Nicole Lapin and Jason Pfeiffer weigh in on the evolution of professional communication and the importance of maintaining a professional presence.
Embracing the evolution of professional communication
The transition to virtual meetings has impacted the nature of small talk and casual interactions, requiring new strategies to navigate these conversations effectively.
Small talk and casual interactions have become more challenging in virtual settings, requiring new strategies
Nicole Lapin expresses her dislike for small talk at the beginning of Zoom meetings, signaling a preference for silence over the usual questions about location or the weather. The awkwardness of waiting for other attendees to join a Zoom call is noted, with Lapin recalling a time when she sat in silence during a recording session while waiting for Jason Pfeiffer.
Providing engaging stories or using visual props can help fill conversational gaps
Instead of engaging in small talk, Lapin has used a "baby mic" flag as a conversation starter on a call, showcasing the potential of unique items to initiate discussion. Pfeiffer also recommends telling amusing or engaging stories to fill the time while waiting for participants to join a Zoom call. He notes the importance of concluding the story promptly once the meeting is about to begin. Pfeiffer further suggests placing interesting objects in the background of video calls to prompt questions and discussion, mentioning his own examples such as a typewriter and guitars.
Maintaining professional presence and appearance in digital forums
With the shift to remote work, maintaining a professional appearance on video calls has become crucial in influencing how others perceive us.
Appearance and presentation on video calls can significantly impact how one is perceived
The conversation among the speakers indicates that image d ...
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Adapting to new workplace norms in the digital age
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Small talk and casual interactions in virtual settings can be seen as an opportunity to build rapport and should not be dismissed entirely.
- Over-reliance on engaging stories or visual props might detract from the primary purpose of the meeting and could be seen as unprofessional in certain contexts.
- Unique items as conversation starters may not always be appropriate or relevant to the meeting's agenda and could potentially lead to distractions.
- Telling amusing or engaging stories requires a sense of timing and audience awareness; what is engaging to some may not be to others, and could potentially be off-putting if not done sensitively.
- Placing interesting objects in the background could be seen as unprofessional or distracting in some professional settings, where a neutral background might be preferred.
- The emphasis on appearance and presentation could perpetuate a superficial approach to professionalism, where substance and quality o ...
Actionables
- You can create a virtual background that doubles as a conversation piece by designing a digital image collage of your hobbies or recent travels. This approach not only adds a personal touch to your video calls but also gives others a glimpse into your life, prompting them to ask questions and engage in more meaningful conversations.
- Start a virtual book or movie club with colleagues to foster deeper connections and provide a structured opportunity for small talk. By discussing a shared interest, you create a regular cadence of engaging conversations that go beyond work topics and help build rapport.
- Enhance your onli ...
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