All Etiquette Rules

Avoid public confrontation

Handle sensitive feedback privately and calmly; avoid public callouts.

Why it matters: Face-saving norms vary widely and public criticism can harm trust.

Use summaries to confirm shared understanding

Summarize key points and ask for confirmation to ensure alignment.

Why it matters: Accents, audio, and phrasing can cause missed nuances.

Avoid humor that can be misread

Be cautious with humor, irony, or teasing in mixed-cultural settings.

Why it matters: Tone doesn’t always translate well remotely.

Respect hierarchy signals

Be mindful of titles, seniority, and who speaks first in hierarchical cultures.

Why it matters: Prevents unintended disrespect.

Establish decision-making norms

Clarify how decisions are made (consensus, owner decides, vote).

Why it matters: Cultural expectations about authority differ.

Name turn-taking rules upfront

State how people should take turns (raise hand, chat queue, round-robin).

Why it matters: Different cultures have different interruption norms.

Allow extra silence before moving on

After asking a question, wait a few seconds before jumping in.

Why it matters: Gives time for translation, reflection, and bandwidth delays.

Use inclusive speaking pace

Speak a bit slower than normal and avoid talking over others.

Why it matters: Supports non-native speakers and captions.

Be explicit about deadlines and urgency

State deadlines with dates and time zones, and define what 'urgent' means.

Why it matters: Time urgency can be interpreted differently across cultures.

Rotate meeting times fairly

For recurring meetings across time zones, rotate times so burden is shared.

Why it matters: Improves morale and fairness.

Assign a note-taker at the start of the meeting

Designate a person responsible for capturing key decisions and action items.

Why it matters: Ensures clarity and accountability after the meeting.

Summarize decisions before ending the meeting

Clearly restate key decisions and agreements before closing the meeting.

Why it matters: Ensures shared understanding and reduces follow‑up confusion.

Clarify next steps and responsibilities

Explicitly state next steps, owners, and deadlines before the meeting ends.

Why it matters: Improves accountability and execution after the meeting.

Inform participants when a meeting is recorded

Always inform participants when a meeting is being recorded and obtain consent if required.

Why it matters: Builds trust and complies with legal and cultural expectations.

Close unnecessary applications before joining

Close resource-intensive applications before the meeting to ensure stable audio and video.

Why it matters: Improves performance and reduces lag or freezes.

Prepare meeting materials in advance

Have all documents, slides, and links ready on the device you will share them from.

Why it matters: Reduces downtime and keeps the meeting focused and professional.

Dress appropriately for the meeting context

Choose attire that matches the importance and audience of the meeting.

Why it matters: Visual appearance influences credibility and first impressions.

Test your setup before the meeting

Test your microphone, camera, and internet connection before the meeting starts, especially when using a new platform.

Why it matters: Prevents delays, interruptions, and loss of credibility at the beginning of the meeting.

Do a 10-second audio check

Test your mic and speakers before important calls.

Why it matters: Prevents avoidable delays and awkward troubleshooting live.

Applies to: Interview candidate, Presenter / speaker, Sales rep

Use a stable connection or dial-in

If your internet is unstable, use a wired connection or dial-in audio.

Why it matters: Audio reliability matters more than HD video.

Applies to: Interview candidate, Sales rep