"Should I Follow My Boss On Instagram?" and Other New Workplace Etiquette Conundrums

Podcast Summary: "Should I Follow My Boss On Instagram?" and Other New Workplace Etiquette Conundrums

Episode Released: December 20, 2024

Host: Morgan Lavoy (Guest Hosting for Nicole Lapin)
Guests: Jason Pfeiffer (Co-host of Help Wanted and Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine)
Podcast: Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin

Introduction to Workplace Etiquette in the Digital Age

In this episode of Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, guest host Morgan Lavoy teams up with Jason Pfeiffer to delve into modern workplace etiquette dilemmas, particularly those arising from the integration of social media and remote work technologies like Zoom. The conversation navigates through questions that many professionals face in today’s interconnected and digital-centric work environments.

Should You Follow Your Boss on Instagram?

Morgan Lavoy initiates the discussion with a pertinent question: "Should you follow your boss on Instagram?"

Morgan Lavoy (05:02):
"I feel like it depends on, like, what kind of vibe you have at work. If it's a small company, yeah. If it's a big company, probably not."

Jason Pfeiffer shares his perspective:

Jason Pfeiffer (05:30):
"I think the real issue here is how much should you be thinking about people that you know professionally when you are posting on social media? And I think the answer to that is all the time."

He emphasizes the importance of maintaining professionalism online, regardless of whether your boss follows you. Pfeiffer advises treating your social media presence as if your boss does follow you, ensuring that all posts remain work-appropriate.

Following Employees on Social Media as a Boss

The conversation shifts to the reverse scenario: "If you are a boss, should you follow your employees on Instagram?"

Jason Pfeiffer (08:39):
"No. I actually make a very specific point of this. I do not follow colleagues unless we have hung out and that colleague relationship has turned, like, friendlike."

Pfeiffer explains that maintaining boundaries is crucial to prevent any perception of favoritism or invasion of privacy. By not following employees unless a personal friendship exists, managers can uphold a professional environment.

Zoom Meeting Etiquette

Eating During Zoom Calls

The trio tackles the etiquette of eating during virtual meetings.

Morgan Lavoy (11:39):
"Can you eat during a Zoom meeting?"

Jason Pfeiffer (12:18):
"If it's an all-hands meeting and casual enough, then take a bite off-camera and come back."

Pfeiffer prefers to mute and eat discreetly out of the camera frame to avoid distracting others. He shares his discomfort with watching others eat on camera, comparing it to disliking food-related shows like those featuring Guy Fieri.

Keeping Cameras On or Off

Morgan Lavoy (14:27):
"When is it appropriate to come to a zoom meeting with your camera turned off?"

Jason Pfeiffer (15:06):
"Camera off. We don't need to be on camera all day to see each other."

Pfeiffer advocates for turning cameras off to reduce unnecessary visual clutter, especially when meetings are numerous or lengthy. He highlights that camera usage should be based on the meeting's purpose and the established expectations within the team. For instance, trusted and reliable employees like his colleague Deepa can have cameras off without impacting team trust or productivity.

Typing and Taking Notes During Zoom Calls

Morgan Lavoy (17:37):
"Is it annoying to type during a Zoom call?"

Jason Pfeiffer (18:05):
"If you're taking notes, announce it. Transparency helps prevent misunderstandings about distractions like sexting or handling personal matters."

Pfeiffer recommends being upfront about taking notes to maintain trust and clarity. He also introduces tools like Fathom, an AI notetaker that transcribes and summarizes meetings, reducing the need for manual note-taking.

Managing Small Talk in Virtual Meetings

Morgan Lavoy (20:54):
"Nicole says yes, yes, 100%."
(Referring to whether Zoom composition and appearance matter)

The discussion transitions to handling small talk at the beginning of Zoom meetings, which Morgan finds often awkward and unproductive.

Jason Pfeiffer (22:15):
"Tell a story. Share something amusing or random to fill the void and move the meeting forward."

Pfeiffer suggests breaking the ice with brief, engaging stories or interesting background elements to make small talk more meaningful and less forced. This approach can set a comfortable tone without dragging out the introductory phase of meetings.

Treating Zoom as a Mirror

Morgan Lavoy (25:26):
"Do you treat Zoom as a mirror?"

Jason Pfeiffer (27:02):
"If you want to appear better in meetings, improve your video and audio quality. Invest in a good camera like a Logitech Brio and a quality microphone."

Pfeiffer emphasizes the importance of good audiovisual setup to enhance professionalism and engagement during virtual meetings. He shares his own setup improvements as a means to be taken more seriously in professional settings.

Final Thoughts on Modern Workplace Etiquette

As the episode wraps up, Morgan Lavoy reflects on how rapidly workplace norms have evolved with technology and the shift to remote work. The trio underscores the necessity of adapting to these changes thoughtfully to maintain professionalism and effective communication.

Morgan Lavoy (29:40):
"The crazy thing about all these questions is that they wouldn't have even been questions four years ago."

They conclude by encouraging listeners to navigate these new challenges with mindfulness and to seek further advice by reaching out through the podcast’s channels.

Notable Quotes

Jason Pfeiffer (05:30):
"You should probably act like your boss follows you regardless of what you do."
Jason Pfeiffer (15:06):
"Camera off. We don't need to be on camera all day to see each other."
Jason Pfeiffer (18:05):
"If you're taking notes, announce it. Transparency helps prevent misunderstandings."
Jason Pfeiffer (22:15):
"Tell a story. Share something amusing or random to fill the void and move the meeting forward."
Jason Pfeiffer (27:02):
"If you want to appear better in meetings, improve your video and audio quality."

This episode provides valuable insights into maintaining professionalism in the modern, digitally-driven workplace. By addressing common dilemmas and offering practical solutions, Morgan Lavoy and Jason Pfeiffer equip listeners with the tools to navigate workplace etiquette effectively.