Today, I’ve got something short, practical, and powerful for you.

If you feel uncomfortable on camera - good!
You’re supposed to.

Cringe isn’t failure. It’s feedback. It means you’re finally seeing yourself clearly.

And the fastest way to get comfortable?
You need to cringe ASAP.

"Cringe?!" 

Hold on.

What’s the real problem for new managers on camera?

You’re leading through the lens, whether you like it or not.

Zoom meetings. Presentations. Recorded updates. Even your weekly check-ins. Oh, you're also doing content? 

That little camera isn’t just showing your face, it’s showing your leadership.

If you look and sound uncertain, people feel uncertain.
If you look and sound confident, they follow.

This isn’t about vanity.
It’s about trust and presence - two pillars of effective leadership.

Why does this matter for first-time leaders?

The transition to leadership is hard enough on its own.
But ever since Covid, remote and hybrid work have made it even tougher.

You no longer establish yourself only in person.
You do it a lot through digital media. And that means, like it or not, you do it on camera.

That’s where trust, credibility, and connection now happen also.

So yes, this matters.
Because as a new manager, you need to remove your tics, fillers, and awkward habits fast.
You need to remove everything that doesn't add to your confidence. 

And this simple exercise...just read on:)

What’s the fastest way to build camera confidence?

Follow this formula: Record. Review. Reflect. Repeat.

Now pick up your phone. The next thi...

Seriously, pick up the phone!

Come on, do this in real time!

Step 1: Record yourself

Think of your next meeting or presentation.
Hit record. Two minutes. No script. Just go. I'm waiting...

Step 2: Watch it back — without ego

Notice what feels awkward.
What do you like? What makes you wince? 

Step 3: Write down every observation

Once it’s on paper, the cringe becomes clarity.
You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. Of course I'll wait.

Step 4: Ask four honest friends for feedback

Two from work, two from outside.
Ask: “What works? What doesn’t? Be brutally honest, please!”
Real feedback requires real honesty. That will also balance your self-criticism. Ok, I won't wait for this right now because I trust you:) 

Step 5: Watch twice more

• Muted: focus on posture, gestures, facial expressions.

• Audio only: listen for tone, fillers, articulation.

Now, here comes the most important part: 

Step 6: Before the next recording, pick ONE thing to improve

Not five. One!
Because repetition without reflection only reinforces mistakes. Read that again.
Reflection turns repetition into mastery.

What results can new managers expect?

Repeat daily. At least once. 
Then apply the same routine when you're running a zoom meeting, or giving online presentation...

Yes, you’ll cringe.
Yes, it’s uncomfortable.
And yes, that’s exactly how confidence grows.

After two weeks compare your first recording to your last.
You won’t believe the difference.

Do it for a month, and you’ll finally feel comfortable on camera.

You’re welcome :)

What are the key takeaways for emerging leaders?

• Cringe = feedback, not failure.

• Record → review → reflect → repeat.

• Focus on one improvement per session.

• Comfort grows through exposure, not perfection.

Final thought

In a world where leadership happens also on camera, confidence isn’t optional, it’s part of your credibility.

So grab your phone.
Hit record.
And start building your leadership presence one clip at a time.

You don’t need to be perfect.
You just need to press record.

Now that you know how to get comfortable on camera, let’s focus on what truly keeps your audience engaged: eye contact.  You can read it here.