Our team had a new experience this week.
We pitched for a piece of new business, in person, wearing masks the entire time.
Let me tell you, it was a surreal experience.
We’ve spent the last seven months working remotely and connecting with one another and clients only by Zoom or conference call. The day of the pitch, in fact, marked the first time in more than 200 days that I have seen my colleagues face to face – or, more accurately, masked face to masked face.
The prospect had set up the room very intelligently, grouping us at a conference table in the front while the four of them sat at individual desks toward the rear. Everyone wore a mask.
We knew this experience was likely to tax us, so we practiced the day before. By Zoom. While wearing masks. I’m glad we did.
Here’s what we learned.
Wearing a mask to run into the grocery store is very different from wearing a mask during a 90-minute presentation. When I pop a mask on to go into a store, my need to talk is usually minimal. I might have to give my name to the pharmacist or exchange basic information with a receptionist. Presenting – that is, talking persuasively and energetically – for over an hour with a mask on is hard.
You may need a different mask for a long conversation. Some of us learned that masks slip off of our noses quite easily when we are talking for long periods of time.
You can get very thirsty during a 90-minute meeting. None of us brought water, nor was any offered to us (which was entirely appropriate). If I ever have to do this again, I will bring a water bottle.
You need to compensate for losing half of your face. Let’s face it (see what I did there?) – on a new business pitch, we are trying to make the prospect fall in love with us. That is hard to do when you cannot smile at them. We were all mindful of using our bodies in other ways to communicate passion, energy, and interest. Hand gestures and expressive eyes helped to fill the gap.
Speaking slowly and clearly is important. Words get muffled behind masks. We slowed our delivery down and focused on enunciating clearly.
When we finally exited the building, we all pulled our masks off with relief, to suck in the cool, autumn air that has descended on Philadelphia.
In some ways, it was yet another unreal experience in a year that has been filled with strange, new ways of working.
But it was something else, too. For all four of us, it was a poignant reminder that many essential workers – nurses, teachers, retail staff – regularly spend eight hours a day in masks, doing their jobs, often for our benefit.
I’m grateful we had the opportunity to do this. And I’m humbled to remember that for many, carrying on while wearing a mask is not a choice.