Have you ever noticed the awkward 1-2 seconds at the end of a Zoom meeting when you’re leaving? You’ve had a productive Zoom meeting and it is coming to an end. Everyone knows it’s time to go, but leaving is not always stylish. There is usually a mad dash to hit the leave button with people half focused on the red leave button as well as maintaining eye contact. If you’re the host and you end the meeting, it can seem rude or at least abrupt to the participants, like you couldn’t wait to get out of there and get those other talking heads off your screen. I think the good bye is really important because it’s the LAST thing you do and thus very memorable. Here is a VIDEO I made with the help of my business coach about the situation.
If you are a participant, and you leave early, that too can seem rude. So do you say good-bye in the chat and then leave? What if no one notices your chat-bye? Your early exit can be perceived as ungrateful or a statement that your next meeting is more important than. Knowing when and how to exit a Zoom meeting can be very awkward!
On the other hand, who wants to be the last participant in the room? That’s a good way to earn a reputation as a stalker! Sometimes it’s a mad dash to click the “leave” button, and finding that exact corresponding position of mouse and screen is not easy when you are in a state of panic. If you’re not careful you’ll raise your hand and post random emojis.
Improv scenes always end on a high point, firmly with some sort of climax. There is no clutter. What if the Zoom Good-Bye could be that consistent moment that keeps your attendees engaged? What if they knew they could count on you to orchestrate a Good-Bye that acknowledges the value of each participant and fills them with pride and joy?
What I prefer to the mad dash to press the leave button is a systematic good bye. If there is just 2 people it’s easy. One person elects to leave first and the other waits. Establish eye contact, smile, and then the person leaving first, presses leave. If you have a group of people, each could leave in some order which might be a tough sell in our rush-rush world. Or you could use an idea my friend Helen thought of. Sing, “So long, farewell, etc..,” from the Sound of Music! Whatever method you choose, make it positive.
