Microsoft Teams, one of the most popular videoconferencing platforms, is adding one of Zoom’s worst features. The feature in question is “nonverbal feedback”, which enables participants in a meeting to react with a graphical icon like a thumbs up or a smiley face. This has led to criticism from users who feel that such feedback is intrusive and distracting.
The main issue with this feature is that it can disrupt the flow of a meeting. It is not uncommon for participants to use nonverbal feedback while their colleagues are speaking, thus distracting them and potentially ruining their train of thought. Furthermore, meeting participants may feel the need to respond to each nonverbal feedback in order to be polite, which adds another layer of distraction.
Moreover, this feature is not always accurate. It relies on individual users to interpret the meaning behind each reaction, which is not always easy. Participants can interpret the same reaction differently, resulting in confusion and misunderstanding. This can be particularly problematic in work meetings, which need to maintain a certain level of formality and professionalism.
Despite these drawbacks, some users may still find the feature useful. For instance, it can be used to give encouragement and appreciation to colleagues without actually interrupting the meeting. This is especially useful in virtual meetings where subtle body language cues are not present.
Overall, Microsoft Teams’ decision to add this Zoom feature may not be popular among users. However, it may be beneficial to some in certain situations. As long as users are mindful of the potential risks and use the feature judiciously, it may end up being a useful addition to Microsoft Teams.
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