You’ve probably noticed it. Maybe you’ve done it too.
People want more visibility at work, more recognition, more influence — yet they show up to meetings invisible. And the most common excuses are familiar:
“I didn’t make the bed.”“My kids are in the background.”“I don’t look camera-ready today.”
But here’s the truth — none of that really matters. No one cares if your bed is messy. No one is offended by your kids walking through the room. Life is happening around all of us. The real reason most people turn their cameras off is because they’re trying to multitask — answer emails, check messages, or finish something else. And while the intention makes sense, the impact is completely different.
Meetings aren’t just information exchanges. If they were, we could replace them with email. Meetings exist to collaborate, to build trust, and to create alignment. When your camera is off, you aren’t in the room. The speaker can’t read your reactions. Your team can’t feel your presence. And there is no connection.
And I can tell you from experience — presenting to a screen full of blank boxes is incredibly lonely. Imagine walking into a conference room where everyone sits with a bag over their head. That’s what it feels like when cameras turn off.
Your team needs your input, your reactions, your nods, your smile — not your black square.
If you want visibility, influence, better relationships, or simply to be remembered — show up. Turn your camera on. Be present. Be a contributor, not a shadow.
It’s a small decision that makes a big difference.
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