Blog Post

What better way to start 2023 than by setting New Year’s resolutions for your communication? The digital world and hybrid environments require new ways of contact, and mastering nonverbal communication can bring a lot of benefits to your team. Below are some great suggestions to connect and motivate others and thus receive the information more fully. Feel free to reach out to us to get feedback on how the non-verbal communication skills in your team are affecting your organizational performance.

When you think of great communicators, you probably imagine individuals who can engage others in conversation and provide thoughtful insight and analysis to a variety of situations. What if we told you that great communicators are also talented at using things like body language, gestures, and expressions to convey information?

A lot of the ways we show up in the digital age are based on nonverbal communication. That’s why it is more important than ever to analyze your personal and team performance.

Read on to learn why nonverbal communication is important in a digital world and how you can become a better nonverbal communicator today!

• What is nonverbal communication?
• Why is nonverbal communication important in a digital world?
• 10 tips for effective nonverbal communication in a digital world

What is nonverbal communication? 

When you interact with others in person or virtually, you constantly give wordless signals.

Nonverbal communication refers to the way we convey information through our emotions, needs, intentions, and attitudes. Some examples of nonverbal communication are facial expressions, eye contact, and posture. This type of communication also includes the gestures you make, your tone of voice, and the way you use mannerisms to emphasize or complement your verbal messages.

Why is nonverbal communication important in a digital world?

In an age of digital communication, good nonverbal communication skills can make the difference between an effective conversation and a confusing one. Research even shows that 55% of communication is expressed through body language.

With remote and hybrid work, the subtle ways we communicate have changed. Nonverbal communication can help us understand how others receive information, how they’re feeling, and how to approach new and challenging topics with different individuals. That’s why it’s vital to treat virtual meetings with the same professionalism you would any in-person meeting.

Let’s explore 10 tips you can use to practice effective nonverbal communication in the digital age.

10 tips for effective nonverbal communication in a digital world 

• Keep your camera on
• Smile and nod
• Maintain eye contact
• Use emojis
• Use hand gestures
• Avoid touching your face
• Use facial expressions to your advantage
• Have proper posture
• Read your audience’s nonverbal signs
• Avoid fidgeting

Keep your camera on

Remote meetings are here to stay. During your virtual meetings with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders, keep your camera on so the other participants can see your face. By keeping your camera on, you show that you’re engaged and listening to what the other people on the call have to say. Face-to-face communication also helps build trust and credibility with others. When done efficiently, a quick face-to-face conversation can save you hours of unnecessary email correspondence.

Smile and nod

We’ve all left meetings with stone-faced colleagues feeling disheartened or confused. Some workplace initiatives will lack enthusiasm, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to bring positivity to each conversation through your expressions and gestures. During virtual meetings, smile often and nod your head to show that you’re engaged while the other attendees speak.

Maintain eye contact

Eye contact is essential for effective communication. Making eye contact can help you focus on the conversation and read your colleagues’ facial expressions.

When your eyes wander during a conversation, others might assume you aren’t paying attention or that you lack confidence. Direct eye contact indicates to others that you want their participation throughout the conversation. It also can influence others’ perception of your credibility, trustworthiness, and ability to lead. Look directly into your computer’s camera to give the illusion of true eye contact during virtual meetings.

Use emojis 

Hear us out with this one. Emojis can be a great way to display facial expressions, tone of voice, and human gestures in your digital communications. They can add context and additional emotional meaning to messages, emails, and reactions during virtual meetings. While you shouldn’t go overboard, adding the applause or smile emoji the next time your team is celebrating a small win will go a long way in making your colleagues feel happy and appreciated. 

Did you know that you can use emojis to react to collaborative meeting agendas in Fellow? Jazz up your notes by selecting an emoji reaction that will appear under your text for further engagement.

Use hand gestures

Hand movements can help you exude energy during virtual encounters. Use your hands to gesture lightly as you speak during virtual meetings. This will make it clear that you’re emphasizing certain words and phrases. Uncross your arms to signal to the person you’re speaking with that you feel confident and at ease. Try not to go overboard so you don’t come across as fidgety. If it’s helpful, practice presentations or speeches in the mirror to gain awareness of your natural gestures and other body languages.

Avoid touching your face

Touching your face is distracting to the other meeting attendees and makes you appear more nervous than confident. According to Healthline, the average person touches their face 16 times per hour. When you touch your face during meetings, you communicate to the other participants that you’re stressed while also spreading oil, dirt, and bacteria from your hands to your face. Face touching is even interpreted as deceptive by some. Break this habit by keeping your hands busy during calls. Use a stress ball or rubber band to keep your hands occupied below your desk if you must.

Use facial expressions to your advantage

Facial expressions are the most obvious indication of how someone is feeling. It’s much easier to control your body language than to mitigate strong emotions on your face. During positive conversations, maintain a slight smile and raise your eyebrows a bit to show enthusiasm. Your expressions should always match the conversation topic. For example, if you say, “I’m so excited about this new project!” your face had better tell the same story.

You should also read the “Zoom room” and pay attention to the facial expressions of others. Reading faces ensures that you’re able to respond appropriately. If someone appears cold or skeptical, don’t assume they’re unhappy. If you need to confirm the meaning behind facial expressions, ask if anyone has any questions for you.

Have proper posture

Good posture will help you convey the appearance of confidence. Sit or stand up straight to exude professionalism and general disposition towards the conversation at hand.

Slouching during a virtual meeting can give the audience the impression that you’re disengaged. Select proper seating that allows you to sit comfortably, keep your shoulders square, and lean into the camera to show that you’re actively listening.

Start changing your company’s culture for 2023 with an effective leadership team. Third Level can help you build an aligned and high-performing work environment. Let us help you develop strategies for your employees to perform at an elite level. Schedule an appointment today to learn more. Find us on Third Level Facebook Page.

Reference: [https://fellow.app/blog/remote/effective-nonverbal-communication-in-digital-world/]