Mind your online body gestures: how exactly to improve your virtual communication skills
17 May, 2020
We’re living in a fascinating time when everything from work meetings to family birthday parties are being moved to the digital sphere.
However, communication authorities warn these online conversations - from WhatsApp chats to Zoom meetings - can result in unnecessary rifts as it’s easier to miss important social cues.
“The impact of our communication is 70 to 90 % non-verbal,” says Khaulah Abbas, founder of Your Professional Presence. “Everything from our body language to your tone to your micro-expressions contribute. Whenever we communicate personally, it’s easier to pick up on cues as we start to see the whole person. But even during video calls, we lose out on contextual cues - that's, what the individual meant, were they joking, sarcastic or upset - and misunderstands may appear.”
“The fundamental base of each interaction we have originates from the primal question: MAY I trust this person?” adds Avneet Kohli, a direct effect and communications coach and image consultant. “Whether in person or in the virtual environment, the human mind is always shopping for discrepancies between verbal and non-verbal communication, which happen easier during virtual or online discussions.”
Some common mistakes that Kohli notes people make when having Zoom conversations are:
- Not looking at the camera because they speak.
- Being incongruent in the mode of communication - meaning one may have video on as the other is on sound mode.
- Not placing their camera at eye level reflecting an odd posture and figure of themselves.
Since it appears like video conversations are here to stay for the longer term, one may as well discover how to ace them. If you’re planning to up your Zoom game, here's how you can use body gestures to communicate better over video, according to Abbas.
- Start with an authentic smile. A smile is a positive and powerful cue, showing friendliness and likeability.
- Use a head tilt and lean in slightly showing interest.
- Keep your posture straight and steer clear of slouching to point attentiveness.
- Be aware of your tone and pitch: Upspeak (ending a sentence as though a questioner) is best avoided. Lower pitched voices are seen to have significantly more power and influence.
- Relax (about 1-2 arm’s length from screen) to where hands and upper part of torso are visible. The more persons can see, the more dependable you appear.
- Use hand gestures to bolster what you are saying. When people see the hands, you are regarded as more honest and trustworthy. Maintaining your hands hidden provides impression of disengagement.
Meanwhile, here are some other tips to take into account to improve those Zoom conversation skills
Dress the part
This one seems obvious, however the Internet appears to be filled with stories of meetings being sidetracked when a professional isn't dressed for the function. “Dress according to your organisation culture in hues that are contrasting to the room you can be seated in during your meetings,” advises Kohli.
Do not multitask
It’s important to give attention to the person in front of you whether or not they’re not physically present says Abbas. “Keep your individual phone at bay as well as your tabs closed. Remember, if it isn’t something you’d do at a face-to-face meeting, you almost certainly shouldn’t do it almost either.”
Have a written statement before the conversation
Kohli recommends having a record of the agenda put within sight. “This practice lets you structure your ideas and lead the conversation systematically to ensure all ends are covered. It results in reducing the utilization of unnecessary conversation filler words like, 'uhh, umm, well, basically' etc.”
Be open and direct
Of these times, when people tend to be anxious and cautious about the near future, Abbas recommends we be as transparent as possible. Mention the objective of the meeting and what is trying to be performed. “Also, listen attentively. Wait for the other person to avoid talking before you begin and use nods and gestures showing understanding and agreement.”
Source: www.thenational.ae