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The world of work has completely changed because of the pandemic. Everything has moved online, including the meeting you used to attend several times a day; every day is now virtual meetings.
In this age of virtual conferences, our nonverbal signs are often heard louder than
words.
Even though we meet everyone in person, it is essential to keep proper body language and
communicate professionally.
According to the researcher, Albert Mehrabian, "55% of communication is body language, 38% is the tone of voice, and 7% is the actual words spoken." From this, it is clear how much body language will count when it comes to virtual meetings.
Here are a few body language tips for an engaging video meeting:
Posture is important!
While attending virtual meetings, there are specific ways in which you should not sit.
Slumping in your chair may seem uninterested and unenergetic. You should lean on the desk;
it makes you seem bored in the conversation. Don’t lean back on the chair; it may sound like
you are not bothered about the conversation. So instead of these postures:
Your positive posture increases other people’s interest level and boosts their confidence.
Hand gestures can help to boost your charisma when you’re on a call. You can use hand
gestures to say ‘hello’ to people when the virtual meeting starts. Also, you can use hand
gestures when you try to explain things.
If you are sitting close to your screen, others will miss out on your hand gestures, so next
time when you turn up for a virtual meeting, arrange your screen position to make your hands
and upper torso visible to your attendees.
Looking into the camera is the same as making direct eye contact, so position your eyes at
the same horizontal level as the camera. You can adjust the size using books beneath the
laptop. Try not to distract your eye contact by looking down or reading other things, as eye
movements can be easily detected.
Eye contact is vital for face-to-face meetings, so you want to maintain the right amount of
eye contact directly into the lens as other people can notice this quickly.
Make sure you smile during your virtual meetings. It doesn’t mean you have to smile over as
it may come across as fake. At the beginning of the virtual conference itself, greet
everyone with a warm smile, the same as you treat them in-person.
Creating a positive
ambiance can make conversation smooth. So next time when you attend a virtual meeting,
remember to signal your presence by giving smiles and nodding your head.
Some signals like fiddling with your hair, touching your face or nose, chewing the lips,
etc., show you are nervous or distracted. Avoid unnecessary gestures if you don’t want to
come across as insecure or anxious during your virtual meetings.
Instead of these confusing gestures, nod your head when you agree with some opinion or raise
your eyebrows to show your interest and keep your hands on your lap or takedown important
notes, if any; these signs will show your interest and attention to virtual meetings.
Stay attentive and avoid multitasking while you are attending a virtual meeting. You have to stay focused and engaged throughout to listen to what the other person is discussing actively.
While speaking, use your hands to show your engagement and enthusiasm. Throughout the video
meeting, try to follow this method.
Try to avoid remaining statue throughout the video; instead, use your hands to count
something while you are pointing out a certain number of things, or use your hands to show
how big or small a particular fact is, etc.
So during your next virtual meeting, don’t forget to use these simple and natural gestures.
Show your interest level, and it will help to boost another person’s confidence level.
Mirroring is a powerful tool to make a bond and understanding with the other person.
Actively listen and mirror his or her gestures, postures, or tone of voice. Mirroring
subconsciously helps to build a stronger connection with the person you are communicating
with.
Set yourself up for video call success
Face-to-face communication is essential to build stronger relationships with your
teams.
Remember the wisdom "it's not what you say; it's how you say it."
During the virtual meeting, you may need more than words to convey your message. Make use of
these body language tips to improve your next video meetings. All you need to do is put your
"best" foot forward and be aware of your mannerisms, facial expressions, and posture.
And last but not least, don’t forget to put on a smile.