Be Real instead of blurring the Background 5 good
Reasons why you
shouldn't hide your
Background in a Teams Meeting

Blur and Background Function - Microsoft Teams offers many Ways to get creative

Some time ago, we showed you how you can blur your background in Microsoft Teams with the blur tool or create a virtual background. Instead of having to tidy up before the Teams meeting, the laundry rack and the pile of boxes from the last online shopping trip disappear behind your company logo at the touch of a button.

Of course, these are great options that Teams offers you. However, there are also good reasons why you don’t need them at all but can simply choose your realistic background with a clear conscience. This can even be an advantage for you and your team.

Five good Reasons for the “honest”/“real” Background

1. Be authentic and create a Basis of Trust

By showing your real background, you convey the feeling that you have nothing to hide and want to appear open instead of hiding behind some kind of mask. A similar example: While filters are regularly used in the app Instagram , which sometimes severely alienate the user’s face, the currently very popular counter-model BeReal  is based on authenticity. Here, the true face is deliberately shown. With courage to be honest, you are in line with the trend, so to speak. 😉

Avoiding blurring and virtual backgrounds can also help your conversation partners to perceive you as more trustworthy. This makes it easier to facilitate teamwork based on trust. Honesty is always the first step.

2. Establish Connections with Icebreakers

Taking it a step further, going for the real background can help create a better interpersonal connection with the other participants. Books in the background can be a hook for small talk. You may even discover something unexpected in common or a shared hobby? Something like this connects and creates a looser, more relaxed atmosphere in the meeting. The conversation then automatically becomes more natural and pleasant.

3. Create a real Sense of Space

The real background can also make you feel like you are actually physically in a room in virtual meetings. It feels much more as if your conversation partners are sitting directly opposite you, even though they may be working from a different city or even a different country. The perceived sense of space can then have a positive effect on communication and interaction with the other participants. Give it a try!

4. Emphasize Personality and Uniqueness

A real background can also emphasize your personality and uniqueness. By showing your actual workplace, you give a picture of your personality and interests - at least to some extent. For example, the pictures hanging on the wall behind you or the books on the shelf behind you. You may also have a decorative bicycle on the wall. Something like that is of course a great eye-catcher! Incidentally, we also like to use our AGOLUTION heart to set the scene in the background.

A unique background can also help you stand out from other participants and make you and your contributions to the conversation more memorable after the meeting.

5. Modern and Progressive Appearance in a “Remote First” Environment

A genuine, honest background also often comes across as more modern and progressive, especially in a remote first working environment. At a time when more and more people are working from home, it’s more important than ever to connect with colleagues and customers. A genuine, authentic background in the online meeting can be the first step.

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This is how the real Background can unfold its positive Effect

Of course, you shouldn’t just turn off the virtual background or the blur overnight without thinking. Approach the whole thing thoughtfully and with a little preparation. If you pay attention to the following points, nothing will stand in the way of your honest approach.

Ensure Professionalism

In all honesty, some things that are in the background can still be inappropriate and make you look unprofessional. Therefore, make absolutely sure that the background looks clean and tidy and that nothing that could be considered inappropriate is visible.

The “deadly sins” include, for example, open cupboard doors, withered houseplants and windows or glass doors - after all, you never know what will happen behind them in the next moment. A fully loaded laundry rack or last night’s dishes definitely don’t belong in the background either.

If the house cat 🐈 says hello from time to time, this won’t be a problem for anyone, but will make you look more likeable. Such a situation can even serve as an icebreaker in a conversation (see above).

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Try out new Things and act as a Role Model

If your employees were previously used to hiding their background in Teams meetings, they may first have to get used to the idea of showing their real background instead. Such changes are always associated with a certain challenge. However, it is worth accepting this challenge and trying out new things.

By setting a good example yourself and showing your genuine background, you are demonstrating a progressive attitude and showing that you are also willing to be open and honest, which can encourage your employees to do the same.

Give Employees Time

Over time, most employees will get used to the idea and learn to appreciate the benefits of the real background. It’s important to be patient and give them time to make a positive change. You can also communicate that it’s okay if they’re not ready to show their real background right away, but that you appreciate them thinking about it and considering it eventually.

The powerful Effect of the real Background

All in all, a real background can have a very positive effect and help you to build a better connection with the other participants in virtual meetings.

This step also shows that you and your team have an open, honest and progressive attitude and are prepared to break new ground** with the aim of making virtual working even more human and connecting. So: just dare to do without your “filter”. Be real. 😉