You can choose to use a minimized version of the video to your screen.  This is called a "float video window".  Once activated, it will "float" over other applications, allowing you to switch to another application without loosing eye-contact.

• From the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, select Float video window.
• The main video window (including thumbnails) will shrink and be pinned on top of all your other application windows. You can drag it to a suitable location.
• To return to the Chrome tab with the video window resized within it, from the pinned window select Back to tab.
• To close the pinned video window, from the toolbar select Reset video window.