In this episode of People Play Story, host Martin Kloss delves into the nuances of effective communication in the digital age, drawing insights from his book, "People Play Story." The discussion centers around the challenges and strategies of video conferencing, emphasizing the importance of maximizing the two senses available—sight and sound. Kloss shares practical advice on enhancing presence through body language, such as standing during calls and using wider camera angles to convey gestures and posture, which can subconsciously build trust and engagement.
Moreover, the episode explores the significance of technical setup, advocating for good lighting and audio to enhance communication rather than distract from it. Kloss also touches on the emotional aspect of video calls, suggesting that being mindful and intentional about one's energy and presence can lead to more genuine connections. The conversation underscores the importance of practice and preparation, encouraging listeners to refine their video communication skills to better connect with others in this digital era.
[00:00:08]
Martin Kloss:
Hi, and welcome to People Play Story, a podcast about storytelling and how to communicate with impact. My name is Martin Kloss, and I'm a professional story coach and speaker trainer. I recently wrote a book. It's called People Play Story, but it's only available in German for now. So to help me reach a wider audience and spread the word about the power of stories, I created this podcast. Full disclosure, what you're about to hear is generated by an AI, courtesy of Google's notebook LM. And each episode is based on a different chapter of my book. I hope you enjoy it and that I can give you something to think about today. Have fun.
[00:00:53] Unknown:
You know, it's funny, isn't it? We used to stress about first impressions, like, you know, handshakes and all that. Now it's all about how we come across on a tiny screen. True. But between, like, the bad wifey and those awkward silences, I think a lot of us are still figuring out how to really own that little rectangle. Yeah. And that's where, the book you brought in comes in. Right? People Play Story by Martin Kloss. Yes. And, specifically, we're diving into his advice on video conferencing. Exactly. So what I found really interesting is how Kloss starts off. He reminds us that, you know, in person, we're using all our senses. Right? But on a video call, it's just sight and sound, which seems obvious, but I never really thought about It's huge. About what that means for how we're coming across.
[00:01:39] Unknown:
Yeah. And how we perceive other people, how we perceive the information that they're sharing. It's a lot of work for our brains to do without those other senses
[00:01:47] Unknown:
to kinda fill in the blanks. So that's gotta be where, like, the Zoom fatigue comes from. Right? Precisely.
[00:01:53] Unknown:
Our brains are working overtime to compensate, and plus does a great job tapping into some of, like, the neuroscience behind that. Okay. So if we wanna make a real impact, we need to, like,
[00:02:04] Unknown:
hack those two senses that we do have. Right? Sight and sound. Exactly.
[00:02:08] Unknown:
And he gives really specific advice. For example, how we frame ourselves on camera. Most people just do the old head and shoulders, but Klaus is like, nope. He says we need to show more of our body, at least waist up, if not more. I have to admit my first thought was that it was, like, a vanity thing. But Paul is so much deeper than that. It's about body language. Yeah. Even though we're not physically in the room with someone, being able to see their gestures, see their posture, It adds weight to their words. Yeah. It builds trust subconsciously
[00:02:40] Unknown:
even through a screen. It's like if you think about, watching a news anchor deliver a really powerful story, are you more drawn in by, like, a really tight close-up? Or the wider shot where you see how their whole body's engaged? Exactly. Or imagine, like, a speaker on a stage.
[00:02:56] Unknown:
When they're using that whole space You feel their presence more. Yes. You feel more present with them. And that's what it comes down to. Right? Maximizing your presence even with these limitations.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
And speaking of presence, Kloss is a big advocate for this. And I have to admit, I was a little skeptical. He says to stand up during video calls whenever possible. Alright. He says it not only, like, helps with your posture, but your voice projection, even how you're breathing. Interesting. Did you try it? I'm standing as we speak. And, honestly,
[00:03:28] Unknown:
I was surprised. Like, I do feel more energized, more engaged in what we're talking about. You see, and that's closest point exactly. It's not just about how they see you, but how you feel.
[00:03:38] Unknown:
That confidence, that little energy shift, it really does translate. It's like when you're giving a presentation and you hit that groove, you know, and suddenly you command the room. This feels like the digital equivalent of that. Absolutely. So it's like our physical presence, but then there's also the tech. Right? Oh, absolutely. And Close talks about how the tech should actually
[00:03:57] Unknown:
enhance what we're doing, not, like, distract from it. Yeah. Like, he's big on external mics, good lighting. Right. But he doesn't mean we need to build, like, a whole studio in our living room, does he? No. No. Not at all. He actually uses that analogy. Like, think about a studio. It's not about being flashy. It's about making sure that the sound is clear. You know? It's about connection. Right? Yeah. Removing distractions. Exactly. Even simple things. Yeah. Like, being aware of where the light's coming from in your workspace or using a decent microphone,
[00:04:28] Unknown:
it makes a difference. So it's about, like, intentionality
[00:04:31] Unknown:
even with that stuff. Yes. And that goes for, you know, things like using notes or Mhmm. Even a teleprompter. He's not against those things. But he says if you rely on them too much You lose that connection. Exactly. You're looking down. Your delivery gets stiff. You're not really present. Like, you're reading a speech instead of having a conversation. Yes. He says the goal is to know your stuff so well that you can actually engage with the camera, with the other people more naturally. So all comes back to practice. Yeah. Right? Oh, absolutely. Just like anything else. Right. Record yourself, watch it back, figure out what you can do better. It's not about being perfect. It's about getting better each time. Exactly. And I think that's easy to forget with video calls. You know. Like, we treat them casually, but if we wanna have an impact Preparation is key. Yeah. It's worth putting in the time to get comfortable, to rehearse even. It makes a world of difference. Because at the end of the day, even though there's a screen there, you're still
[00:05:28] Unknown:
connecting with people. And those little things They matter. They really do. Now one thing I was thinking about, like, Close talks a lot about the visual stuff, the technical side. But he doesn't really get into the, like, emotional part of video calls. That's interesting. Right. And it made me think, like Because he doesn't explicitly talk about it. I guess it's there, isn't it? It's all connected. That idea of being present, maximizing your nonverbals, bringing your authentic self, that's all about emotional connection. It is. So it's like like he gives us the tools to create the environment, but then we have to bring the energy.
[00:06:02] Unknown:
You know? Yes. Yeah. And that's the big question, isn't it? How do we do that
[00:06:06] Unknown:
when we're not physically in the same space? It's the million dollar question, right, for this whole digital age. It is. Yeah. And it's something we're all still figuring out. But, you know, just like Klaus talks about practicing our physical presence. Maybe we need to practice our emotional presence too. There you go. So it's not just about the lighting and the camera angle. It's about what you bring to it. Yeah. That's sir it's something that makes people really pay attention. Okay. So just to kind of sum up what we've learned from Kloss so far. Right. We're dealing with limited senses in this virtual world. Right? Right. So we have to really maximize sight and sound. And body language. Yes. Which, by the way, don't underestimate standing up during those calls. Game changer. And then thinking of your workspace as, like, a mini studio. Good lighting, good audio. Yeah. Those details matter. But, ultimately, it's not about the tech. Right? It's about using it to actually connect better to have a bigger impact. Exactly. And the biggest takeaway for me from Klaus is the importance of practice.
Record yourself. Be your own worst critic. Yes. It's not about being perfect. It's about constantly trying to improve. I love that. Close has given us so much to think about in terms of, like, upping our video game. But like we were saying earlier, there's this whole other layer to explore that energy, that presence that comes through the screen. Absolutely. It's like he's given us the stage, and now we have to figure out How to own it. Exactly. And that's what's so interesting. Right? Like, we've got the technology, but figuring out the human side of it is still a work in progress.
[00:07:35] Unknown:
It's true. Yeah. And it matters.
[00:07:37] Unknown:
You know? Whether it's a job interview or presenting at a conference, even just talking to family. Being able to connect through the screen, it's like the new normal. Definitely. And it feels like Klaus has given us, like, this great toolkit for the technical stuff, body language, practice, all that. But then there's that extra layer of, like, how do we really bring ourselves to the call? What are your thoughts? It's a big question. Mhmm. And I don't think there's one answer that fits everyone.
[00:08:03] Unknown:
But one thing I've been thinking about is mindfulness. Like, we put effort into setting up our physical space. Right? Right. Maybe we need to do the same for our, like, mental and emotional space too. Oh, that's interesting. You mean, like, almost like warming up before a performance? Yeah. Exactly. Taking a minute before the call to, you know, close the laptop, take a walk, listen to some music, whatever helps you be present in that moment. So you're grounded. Exactly. Because when we're grounded, we naturally bring more of ourselves. Our energy is different. Our communication is more genuine. And that comes across even through a screen. It's like the difference between just showing up and actually being there. Exactly. And that's something we can all get better at with practice. It's about being, like, intentional with our energy, our focus, our desire to really connect with the person on the other side of the camera. So as we wrap up this deep dive into Klaus' book, it's not just about the tech. Right? No. Not at all. It's about remembering that even in this digital world, human connection,
[00:09:03] Unknown:
it still matters,
[00:09:04] Unknown:
maybe even more now. Absolutely. And it's something we can learn to do better, to be more effective, to really connect authentically through the screen. Such a good point. It's a journey, isn't it? It is. Well, this has been fantastic. Thanks so much for diving into this with me. My pleasure. Always great to chat about this stuff. Until next time.
[00:09:31] Martin Kloss:
Hi, everyone. It's me again. Just a quick note before I let you go. I hope you found today's episode entertaining, engaging, and maybe even inspiring. If you did, please spread the word. And if you didn't, please keep it to yourself. And if you wanna know more, have any questions, or wanna work with me, please get in touch with me on Martin Kloss dot com or on LinkedIn. Now have a great day. Go out and do something fun.
Hi, and welcome to People Play Story, a podcast about storytelling and how to communicate with impact. My name is Martin Kloss, and I'm a professional story coach and speaker trainer. I recently wrote a book. It's called People Play Story, but it's only available in German for now. So to help me reach a wider audience and spread the word about the power of stories, I created this podcast. Full disclosure, what you're about to hear is generated by an AI, courtesy of Google's notebook LM. And each episode is based on a different chapter of my book. I hope you enjoy it and that I can give you something to think about today. Have fun.
[00:00:53] Unknown:
You know, it's funny, isn't it? We used to stress about first impressions, like, you know, handshakes and all that. Now it's all about how we come across on a tiny screen. True. But between, like, the bad wifey and those awkward silences, I think a lot of us are still figuring out how to really own that little rectangle. Yeah. And that's where, the book you brought in comes in. Right? People Play Story by Martin Kloss. Yes. And, specifically, we're diving into his advice on video conferencing. Exactly. So what I found really interesting is how Kloss starts off. He reminds us that, you know, in person, we're using all our senses. Right? But on a video call, it's just sight and sound, which seems obvious, but I never really thought about It's huge. About what that means for how we're coming across.
[00:01:39] Unknown:
Yeah. And how we perceive other people, how we perceive the information that they're sharing. It's a lot of work for our brains to do without those other senses
[00:01:47] Unknown:
to kinda fill in the blanks. So that's gotta be where, like, the Zoom fatigue comes from. Right? Precisely.
[00:01:53] Unknown:
Our brains are working overtime to compensate, and plus does a great job tapping into some of, like, the neuroscience behind that. Okay. So if we wanna make a real impact, we need to, like,
[00:02:04] Unknown:
hack those two senses that we do have. Right? Sight and sound. Exactly.
[00:02:08] Unknown:
And he gives really specific advice. For example, how we frame ourselves on camera. Most people just do the old head and shoulders, but Klaus is like, nope. He says we need to show more of our body, at least waist up, if not more. I have to admit my first thought was that it was, like, a vanity thing. But Paul is so much deeper than that. It's about body language. Yeah. Even though we're not physically in the room with someone, being able to see their gestures, see their posture, It adds weight to their words. Yeah. It builds trust subconsciously
[00:02:40] Unknown:
even through a screen. It's like if you think about, watching a news anchor deliver a really powerful story, are you more drawn in by, like, a really tight close-up? Or the wider shot where you see how their whole body's engaged? Exactly. Or imagine, like, a speaker on a stage.
[00:02:56] Unknown:
When they're using that whole space You feel their presence more. Yes. You feel more present with them. And that's what it comes down to. Right? Maximizing your presence even with these limitations.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
And speaking of presence, Kloss is a big advocate for this. And I have to admit, I was a little skeptical. He says to stand up during video calls whenever possible. Alright. He says it not only, like, helps with your posture, but your voice projection, even how you're breathing. Interesting. Did you try it? I'm standing as we speak. And, honestly,
[00:03:28] Unknown:
I was surprised. Like, I do feel more energized, more engaged in what we're talking about. You see, and that's closest point exactly. It's not just about how they see you, but how you feel.
[00:03:38] Unknown:
That confidence, that little energy shift, it really does translate. It's like when you're giving a presentation and you hit that groove, you know, and suddenly you command the room. This feels like the digital equivalent of that. Absolutely. So it's like our physical presence, but then there's also the tech. Right? Oh, absolutely. And Close talks about how the tech should actually
[00:03:57] Unknown:
enhance what we're doing, not, like, distract from it. Yeah. Like, he's big on external mics, good lighting. Right. But he doesn't mean we need to build, like, a whole studio in our living room, does he? No. No. Not at all. He actually uses that analogy. Like, think about a studio. It's not about being flashy. It's about making sure that the sound is clear. You know? It's about connection. Right? Yeah. Removing distractions. Exactly. Even simple things. Yeah. Like, being aware of where the light's coming from in your workspace or using a decent microphone,
[00:04:28] Unknown:
it makes a difference. So it's about, like, intentionality
[00:04:31] Unknown:
even with that stuff. Yes. And that goes for, you know, things like using notes or Mhmm. Even a teleprompter. He's not against those things. But he says if you rely on them too much You lose that connection. Exactly. You're looking down. Your delivery gets stiff. You're not really present. Like, you're reading a speech instead of having a conversation. Yes. He says the goal is to know your stuff so well that you can actually engage with the camera, with the other people more naturally. So all comes back to practice. Yeah. Right? Oh, absolutely. Just like anything else. Right. Record yourself, watch it back, figure out what you can do better. It's not about being perfect. It's about getting better each time. Exactly. And I think that's easy to forget with video calls. You know. Like, we treat them casually, but if we wanna have an impact Preparation is key. Yeah. It's worth putting in the time to get comfortable, to rehearse even. It makes a world of difference. Because at the end of the day, even though there's a screen there, you're still
[00:05:28] Unknown:
connecting with people. And those little things They matter. They really do. Now one thing I was thinking about, like, Close talks a lot about the visual stuff, the technical side. But he doesn't really get into the, like, emotional part of video calls. That's interesting. Right. And it made me think, like Because he doesn't explicitly talk about it. I guess it's there, isn't it? It's all connected. That idea of being present, maximizing your nonverbals, bringing your authentic self, that's all about emotional connection. It is. So it's like like he gives us the tools to create the environment, but then we have to bring the energy.
[00:06:02] Unknown:
You know? Yes. Yeah. And that's the big question, isn't it? How do we do that
[00:06:06] Unknown:
when we're not physically in the same space? It's the million dollar question, right, for this whole digital age. It is. Yeah. And it's something we're all still figuring out. But, you know, just like Klaus talks about practicing our physical presence. Maybe we need to practice our emotional presence too. There you go. So it's not just about the lighting and the camera angle. It's about what you bring to it. Yeah. That's sir it's something that makes people really pay attention. Okay. So just to kind of sum up what we've learned from Kloss so far. Right. We're dealing with limited senses in this virtual world. Right? Right. So we have to really maximize sight and sound. And body language. Yes. Which, by the way, don't underestimate standing up during those calls. Game changer. And then thinking of your workspace as, like, a mini studio. Good lighting, good audio. Yeah. Those details matter. But, ultimately, it's not about the tech. Right? It's about using it to actually connect better to have a bigger impact. Exactly. And the biggest takeaway for me from Klaus is the importance of practice.
Record yourself. Be your own worst critic. Yes. It's not about being perfect. It's about constantly trying to improve. I love that. Close has given us so much to think about in terms of, like, upping our video game. But like we were saying earlier, there's this whole other layer to explore that energy, that presence that comes through the screen. Absolutely. It's like he's given us the stage, and now we have to figure out How to own it. Exactly. And that's what's so interesting. Right? Like, we've got the technology, but figuring out the human side of it is still a work in progress.
[00:07:35] Unknown:
It's true. Yeah. And it matters.
[00:07:37] Unknown:
You know? Whether it's a job interview or presenting at a conference, even just talking to family. Being able to connect through the screen, it's like the new normal. Definitely. And it feels like Klaus has given us, like, this great toolkit for the technical stuff, body language, practice, all that. But then there's that extra layer of, like, how do we really bring ourselves to the call? What are your thoughts? It's a big question. Mhmm. And I don't think there's one answer that fits everyone.
[00:08:03] Unknown:
But one thing I've been thinking about is mindfulness. Like, we put effort into setting up our physical space. Right? Right. Maybe we need to do the same for our, like, mental and emotional space too. Oh, that's interesting. You mean, like, almost like warming up before a performance? Yeah. Exactly. Taking a minute before the call to, you know, close the laptop, take a walk, listen to some music, whatever helps you be present in that moment. So you're grounded. Exactly. Because when we're grounded, we naturally bring more of ourselves. Our energy is different. Our communication is more genuine. And that comes across even through a screen. It's like the difference between just showing up and actually being there. Exactly. And that's something we can all get better at with practice. It's about being, like, intentional with our energy, our focus, our desire to really connect with the person on the other side of the camera. So as we wrap up this deep dive into Klaus' book, it's not just about the tech. Right? No. Not at all. It's about remembering that even in this digital world, human connection,
[00:09:03] Unknown:
it still matters,
[00:09:04] Unknown:
maybe even more now. Absolutely. And it's something we can learn to do better, to be more effective, to really connect authentically through the screen. Such a good point. It's a journey, isn't it? It is. Well, this has been fantastic. Thanks so much for diving into this with me. My pleasure. Always great to chat about this stuff. Until next time.
[00:09:31] Martin Kloss:
Hi, everyone. It's me again. Just a quick note before I let you go. I hope you found today's episode entertaining, engaging, and maybe even inspiring. If you did, please spread the word. And if you didn't, please keep it to yourself. And if you wanna know more, have any questions, or wanna work with me, please get in touch with me on Martin Kloss dot com or on LinkedIn. Now have a great day. Go out and do something fun.
