We pace during phone calls, gesture during presentations and walk while we think. Yet when a Teams meeting starts, we are expected to sit still. Could the secret to better meetings be as simple as standing up? Find out how to elevate your meetings and how it starts with elevating yourself.
When was the last time you stayed completely still during a phone call?
If you're like most people, you probably paced the room, gestured with your hands, or wandered to the kitchen without even thinking about it. Movement feels natural when we engage in conversation. It helps us think, express ourselves, and maintain energy.
Yet the moment a meeting becomes a video call, many of us feel obligated to sit rigidly in front of a screen.
It seems counterintuitive.
Better meetings aren't just about agendas and technology. They're also about how we physically participate. While collaboration has never been easier, many of us are spending longer periods sitting than ever before.
The NHS notes that prolonged sitting is linked to a range of health risks. Recent research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that regular movement breaks can improve mood and reduce fatigue. [nhs.uk], [bjsm.bmj.com]
The goal isn't to stand all day.
It's to move more naturally.
The right setup – whether that's a sit stand desk, standing desk converter, laptop riser, or ergonomic workspace accessories – can help us stay engaged, comfortable and present throughout the working day. Leitz's ergonomic range is designed around this principle: making movement a natural part of work rather than something you need to schedule separately.
There is no single "correct" meeting posture.
In fact, the most effective approach is often alternating between sitting and standing depending on the purpose of the meeting.
Standing naturally encourages better posture, greater vocal projection and more expressive body language. Many people report feeling more energised and engaged when standing during presentations or leading discussions. Standing can also help combat the post-lunch slump and keep you mentally alert during longer days of virtual meetings. [huanuo.com], [trybarefoot.com]
For one-to-one catch-ups, or meetings where you're primarily listening, sitting can feel more conversational and approachable. It provides stability and comfort during longer discussions and can help foster trust in more personal conversations.
The real goal isn't standing all day. It's having the flexibility to switch.
A sit stand desk, standing desk converter or laptop riser allows seamless transitions between positions, helping you adapt to the moment without disrupting the flow of the meeting. Internal Leitz ergonomic guidance consistently emphasises movement rather than remaining static in either position.
Should standing meetings become more commonplace?
There's certainly a case for it.
Many organisations already use stand-up meetings for project updates and daily team check-ins because they encourage brevity and focus. When people are standing, conversations often become more purposeful, energetic and collaborative.
That doesn't mean every meeting should become a standing meeting. A three-hour strategy workshop probably still needs chairs. But for quick updates, hybrid check-ins and team huddles, standing can be a powerful tool.
Don't forget meeting ergonomics
Your physical setup has a major influence on how you're perceived during virtual meetings.
If your laptop camera is positioned below eye level, colleagues may spend the entire call staring up your chin. Equally, poor posture can make you appear disengaged, even when you're paying attention.
Laptop riser or monitor stand
Raising your screen to eye level helps maintain a neutral neck position and supports a more ergonomic posture. A laptop riser is one of the simplest ways to improve both comfort and on-screen presence. Screens should be positioned at eye level and approximately an arm's length away to reduce strain.
High-definition webcam
Clear video quality helps build rapport and maintain engagement, especially when meeting people for the first time.
Professional headset
Poor audio is often more distracting than poor video. A quality headset ensures your voice sounds clear and confident while reducing background noise.
Sit-stand solutions
For those wanting greater flexibility, products such as the Leitz Ergo Small Foldable Sit Standing Desk, Leitz Ergo Cosy Standing Desk Converter and the wider Leitz sit stand desk range make it easy to adapt your workspace throughout the day without disrupting productivity.
Even in a physical meeting room, the chances are someone is joining remotely.
Hybrid working has expanded opportunities for collaboration across countries, offices and time zones. However, it has also created a new challenge: ensuring remote attendees aren't treated as an afterthought.
The most effective meetings are those where everyone feels seen, heard and included.
The future of meetings isn't about spending more time in them. It's about making them more engaging, productive and human.
Whether that means standing for a client presentation, using a laptop riser for better posture, investing in a high-quality webcam, or introducing movement breaks into your Teams meetings, small adjustments can make a noticeable difference.
Because elevating your meetings isn't just about better conversations.
It's about rising to meet them.