I’m going to share a piece of advice that might seem controversial. Those fake backgrounds you are using for virtual meetings or presentations – STOP USING THEM.
That tropical beach or fake office backdrop you’re using isn’t fooling anyone. In fact, it’s doing the opposite. It’s making you look unprofessional, untrustworthy, and frankly, a little lazy.
If you’re a leader trying to close deals, inspire your team, or impress the board, digital backgrounds are damaging your credibility before you even speak.
Here’s why you should ditch them immediately and what to do instead.
The Digital Background Problem
Think about what happens when you use a digital background. Your fingers disappear mid-gesture. Chunks of your hair vanish when you turn your head. You’ve seen it happen to others, and yes, it’s happening to you. And your team is too embarrassed to tell you.
Here’s the truth: you’re not a TV studio. Meteorologists use green screens with professional lighting, a whole crew, and a director, ensuring everything looks seamless. You’re sitting in your office with a laptop camera. There’s a massive difference, and your audience can tell.
Why Authenticity Matters More Than Ever
Beyond the technical glitches, digital backgrounds convey a message: you’re hiding something and not showing your genuine self.
In business, transparency builds trust——and much of that trust is built through body language, eye contact, and the subtle cues that digital filters tend to obscure. When you hide behind an artificial environment, you create distance between yourself and your audience. Clients, employees, and board members want to see the real you.
The digital background trend that exploded in 2020 is fading, and for good reason. Research is showing that what people learn from your background helps them connect with you.
What Should Be in Your Background Instead?
Once you’ve removed that digital backdrop, you need to be strategic about what people see behind you.
Keep It Simple and Focused
Your background should never compete with you for attention. Walk around your office right now and look for distractions:
- Frames catching light and creating glare
- Busy patterns or bright colors
- Items that might be politically divisive
- Anything your audience might try to read instead of listening to you
Remove or relocate anything that pulls focus away from your message.
Create Depth
Don’t sit right up against a wall. It makes you look like you’re being interrogated rather than leading a conversation. Create some distance between yourself and the background. Even just a few feet can make a dramatic difference.
In a small space, you can create the illusion of depth by adding lighting behind you.
Consider Your Colors
You don’t want to blend into your background like a floating head. If you’re wearing dark colors, make sure your background provides contrast. Choose timeless, non-distracting colors that let you pop without overwhelming your message.
Save the Hawaiian shirts and team jerseys for your personal time.
But My Company Requires Branded Backgrounds…
This is a common concern, especially in large corporations.
If your company mandates digital backgrounds with logos, you have options:
First, make your case.
Share the reasoning behind why digital backgrounds undermine credibility. Share this video that makes a case against digital backgrounds! Explain that they make experts look amateur. Most executives will understand once they see the why behind the recommendation.
If that doesn’t work, mitigate the damage:
- Use excellent lighting to reduce glitching
- Choose the simplest version possible: one solid color with minimal branding
- Avoid animated elements or complex images
- Stay as still as possible (though this ironically pulls your focus away from the actual conversation)
The Bottom Line About Virtual Background During Meetings
Your executive presence is too valuable to be undermined by technical glitches. Digital backgrounds make you look less credible, less trustworthy, and less professional. This is the EXACT opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
People hire experts who seem confident and authentic. They trust leaders who show up as real, not manufactured. When you ditch the digital background and optimize your actual space, you signal that you have nothing to hide and everything to offer.
Your next video call is an opportunity to show up as the magnetic, influential leader you are. Don’t let a glitchy tropical beach stand in your way.
At Janicek Performance Group, we specialize in training leaders to accelerate growth, command attention, and drive innovation through impactful communication. If you’re ready to transform from expert to influential leader, refine your presence, project confidence, and take control of your message, reach out today to learn how we can help.
