Top tips for improving your body language in virtual meetings

With over 50% of people working from home during lockdowns 1 and 2 we are all getting to conducting meetings in different ways.

The popularity of virtual meetings has grown incredibly, so much so that there now is a phenomenon called “Zoom Fatigue”, tiredness, worry, or burnout associated with overusing virtual platforms of communication. In addition to fatigue, virtual meetings bring with them a whole range of challenges to communication, it is much harder to read the subtle body language cues of people when looking at a screen. Despite this, first impressions are made in nanoseconds and are still based largely on body language and vocal tone. Online meetings also require the same listening, participation, and nonverbal interactions seen in face-to-face meetings. Here are our top tips to help you improve your body language when participating in virtual meetings and presentations. 

1.     Eye Contact:

Eye contact is one of the fundamentals of body language. Eye contact boosts oxytocin, which is the social-bonding and trust chemical, therefore good eye contact forges closer connections. It is difficult to maintain good eye contact when a person is not in front of you. However, there are a few things you can do to help improve good eye contact in a virtual setting. Adjust your camera so your eyes are level with the lens. This may mean having to invest in a special tripod or even improvising with some books beneath your laptop! The camera is the ‘person’ you want to be making eye contact with. Be careful not to look down, across or close your eyes. Online, the face and upper torso are particularly in focus therefore eye movements are easily noticeable. Good eye contact conveys confidence and helps people to trust us. If you are using notes in an app window, push them up to the top of the laptop screen so they are close to the camera to help maintain a good eye-line with the camera.

2.     Smile:

As mentioned above, facial expressions are more open to scrutiny in online meetings and presentations so make sure you smile (unless you have to deliver bad news!). Smiling signals care, empathy, likeability and warmth. Especially in these times, people are craving an empathetic, kind and warm response.

3.     Hand gestures:

According to an analysis of TED Talks speakers, most viral speakers use an average of about 465 hand gestures, twice as many as less-popular speakers. In regards to gestures virtual meetings require a unique set of upfront spatial considerations, be aware of the screen and your position in it. Make sure your upper torso is positioned in the centre. We often make a range of hand gestures whilst we are talking, and it is easy to forget that our hands may be outside of the shot! 

4.     Good posture:

Sit up straight and lean in slightly toward the screen. Slumping can indicate that you are uninterested whilst leaning forward slightly expresses interest! Good posture is the building block of all body language. If you have good posture and are breathing well it will aid you in making effective eye contact, gestures, facial expressions and improve your tone of voice. 

Learn how to Present with Confidence in Online Meetings

Two great courses - whether you want a 1 day or 3 day learning experience - that will teach you how to master online meetings - and give you plenty of opportunity to practice in a fun and relaxed environment.

Learn more here: www.malmesburyspeakers.com/presenting