Nonverbal Communication: Leveling Up Your Zoom Meetings and Phone Calls
[This is the sixth entry in a series on Nonverbal Communication for Success in the Workplace. See parts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 at the links.]
Introduction
Working remotely carries many benefits, but it also presents challenges for effective interpersonal communication. The absence of face-to-face interaction can make it difficult to gauge emotions and intentions accurately.
Phone calls are brutal for trying to convey a message or try to read how someone really feels. Words frequently do not match the tone with which they are conveyed, and it leaves you knowing something is off but unable to determine what it is. Still, there are ways to ensure that your end of the conversation is expressed clearly, appropriately, and, of course, with confidence.
Here are a few tips to help you in the workplace of the future.
Nonverbal Communication Tips for Zoom Meetings
For the love of God, turn your camera on. Show your face. Being one of the brave souls on a Zoom meeting to appear on camera in a sea of dark screens with names written on them immediately sets you apart. You are confident and comfortable, and other speakers can see you are listening. Have you ever noticed how poorly people with their cameras off communicate on a zoom meeting?
Notice how the camera position causes him to slightly roll his shoulders forward, closing his body language and reducing the appearance of confidence. He should raise the laptop so the camera is at eye level.
Camera Positioning: Make sure the camera is at eye level. This helps create a more natural and engaging visual connection with other participants.
Eye Contact: Look directly into the camera when you're speaking, rather than at your own video feed. This creates the impression of eye contact for others, which is important for developing rapport and trust. If you struggle with this, turn off the image of yourself and move the speaker’s view right below the camera.
Confidence: The same principles apply here. Sit straight and focus on maximizing the distance between your ears and shoulders to display confidence.
Facial Expressions: Smile when appropriate and maintain an engaged expression to show interest. Keep your face relaxed when you are not smiling. Don’t look at the wrong monitor. Appear as engaged as you would want to in an in person meeting.
Gestures: Use gestures moderately to emphasize points, but avoid excessive movements that might be distracting. Position your camera so that your hands can be seen when you are gesturing. Showing your hands develops trust.
Attire: Dress appropriately for the meeting's purpose. It's generally best to err on the side of being slightly more formal than too casual. You do not look productive or authoritative dressed casually because you are at home.
Nonverbal Tips for Phone Calls:
I am not sold on the seating position as it looks like it would be uncomfortable for more than a brief call. But her head is upright and she is smiling, delivering charisma through her vocal tone.
I struggle with phone calls, in part because I know all of the nonverbal cues that I would like to use that are unavailable. Still, here are a few tips to help.
Years ago someone told me they wear a suit when conducting phone interviews for employment. He said it made him perform better in the interviews. I now realize the wisdom in this approach.
Effective nonverbal communication over the phone is about your emotional state. It comes through in your tone of voice and speaking cadence. I promise that you will have a different emotional state wearing a suit and being well groomed than you would in pajamas when you have not showered yet for the day. If it’s an important phone call, get yourself prepared accordingly.
Posture: Your tone of voice and speaking cadence is going to match your posture. If you have closed body language, your voice tone will be higher pitched. Sit or stand straight, as you would for an in-person conversation. Keeping a relaxed, confident posture for a phone conversation will lower your tone of voice, making you sound more confident.
Smile: Even though the other person can't see you, smiling can positively impact your tone of voice and overall demeanor. People can hear a smile.
Focus: Give your full attention to the call. Avoid multitasking or checking your emails, as your tone might give away your lack of focus. One advantage of a phone call is you can close your eyes if that helps you focus.
Pauses: Allow natural pauses in the conversation. This helps avoid interrupting the other person and gives them space to respond.
Active Listening: Use verbal cues like "I understand," "I see," or "Go on" to show that you're actively listening and engaged instead of allowing extra long silences to pass while someone is speaking.
Confirmation: Summarize or repeat key points to confirm your understanding. This shows that you're attentive and processing the information.
Avoid Interrupting: Let the other person finish their sentences before responding. This demonstrates respect and effective communication.
In Conclusion
Nonverbal communication plays a significant role in virtual and remote interactions. Use it wisely to help establish rapport, convey emotions, and enhance your charisma.