Who Is Zooming Who?
In 1985, Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul released the award-winning song, Who’s Zoomin’ Who? Far be it that she would prophesize the historical introduction of a platform that has transformed the technology industry. Yep, Zoom!
A year ago, my Accountability and Intentions (AI) partner sent me an Instructions Manual to learn how to use Zoom correctly and consistently as I was revving up to do virtual training. Eye roll.
I was hesitant to get too savvy with this technology, but quickly realized I would get left behind if I didn’t up my Zooming game. So, I dived in to learn as much as I could about how to use it. I practiced on all my clients. Sometimes, they could see me, sometimes they couldn’t. Sometimes I could see them. Sometimes I couldn’t. Sometimes I would forget to send a client a link for them to access our session. Sometimes I sent them TWO links, then they would be on one, and I would be on the other. So, the good old phone had to be used to figure what in the world was happening. Texting back and forth, then talking by phone to resolve things. Finally, after 20-30 minutes, voila! We hooked up! I got better with each session, and finally thought I had wrestled the beast to the ground.
Well, no. That was naive. Just yesterday AND the day before, I had clients dangling in the Zoom space because obviously I did something wrong in setting up the meetings. Confidence gone back to zero! Pull the manual back out. Watch a few more videos.
So, here is the deal: I do not want to use another platform; I want to use the one I have already invested time and money into for conducting my coaching and training sessions. I actually love the idea of seeing facial expressions of my clients, laughing out loud and conversing with them. I am not quite ready to abandon ship and holler, “Wrong jungle!”
Leadership is just like that. It requires perseverance, a commitment to quality, and on-going learning. I will continue to forge through, patiently explaining to clients that I am a Learner (Gallup said so), and that I am willing to keep trying to master this technology. I can only hope they will continue to support my hit or misses for our Zoom sessions—promise!
After all, who is Zooming who?