Non-verbal communication in virtual contexts
Site: | Poznan University of Technology |
Course: | Unit 5: Non-verbal communication during virtual meetings |
Book: | Non-verbal communication in virtual contexts |
Printed by: | Guest user |
Date: | Sunday, 10 November 2024, 6:06 AM |
Reading Comprehension.
Non-verbal communication and its elements such as facial expression,
gestures, posture, eye-contact, dressing code are most often attributed to in-person
meetings. Unfortunately, since the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic forced the
vast majority of the population to move their business activities online,
including video conferencing, staff meetings and webinars, people soon noticed
that meetings conducted so far in-person were easier if not more effective than
the virtual ones. Out of the blue people needed to navigate in the virtual
world driven mostly by intuition or lack of understanding, not to mention
acknowledging the rules governing online communication. Soon it became obvious
that non-verbal communication in the virtual world is as much important as the
message conveyed during the meeting. It influences both perception and
delivery, pushing a meeting to the high levels of professionalism and
competence, helps keeping people more engaged and less distracted by the
surrounding stumuli. The question is though which aspects of non-verbal
communication should be prioritized during a virtual meeting. Take a look at
the listing below to find the most useful tips for effective online meetings.
"Eyes are the window to the soul”, as the old saying has it, seems to be
particularly true in terms of eye contact maintained during a meeting. It
builds trust, reliability, understanding, confidence and even increases
empathy. In negotiations, for example, it indicates being in control over the
situation signaling at the same time partnership and equality. Transferring eye
contact into the virtual life, it suddenly appeared that it is pretty difficult
to maintain it, not because of an intimidating situation so to say, but simply
because people do not know how to maintain it. Even though we naturally tend to
catch people’s attention and we actually look at people while looking into
tiny images if we are lucky enough to have our interlocutors with cameras on,
still people miss one important aspect, i.e. the camera itself. It is usually
located slightly above the icons, so do not treat your display as a mirror, do
not look at your reflection. Just look either into the middle of the display or
straight at the camera. If you want to make your life easier, just glue the
image of your beloved ones to the wall behind your display and talk to them.
Also, if you just listen to somebody, try not to look away, checking your phone
or notifications since it is all visible and probably your interlocutors will
not like it. “People can determine how you’re feeling by this six-inch image of
you on their screen,” said Solloway, assistant director for daytime MBA career
services at the Fuqua School of Business. “That means every blink, every grin
and every time you lean toward the camera has much more power because they
can’t interpret your full body of energy.”
Dress to impress, that’s another well known saying which really counts
online as well. Since most people have gone online while working from their
homes, it somehow made people a little bit less restrictive as far as the clothing
is concerned. The logic behind it is simple, we are at home, so home dressing
code is applied. Well, there is nothing more misleading. Casual, home clothing
is good for home pleasures. Virtual meetings, though conducted at home, require
a little bit more than a worn out t-shirt. The dressing code is also something
by means of which you show your respect to your interlocutors also online.
Besides solid colors, delicate patterns do not distract, look much better and
more professional onscreen.
Posture is another underestimated element on online meetings. Being
hunched over the computer does not only look bad but it also hurts your back tremendously.
Downward posture makes you look down, i.e. you are literally do not maintain the
eye contact and also even if you are to deliver some good or important news,
still your body will convey only negative message. And whether you want it or
not, this negative aspect will be remembered by most of the online meeting
participants. Spending hours nowadays glued to the computer display, does not
facilitate keeping straight posture, still there are some tricks that should do
the job. Remember to keep you feet flat on the floor. The angle at your knees
should be 90-degrees. Keep straight, because it will make you feel and look
more energetic, confident and it will definitely do a lot of good for your
body. Besides, believe it or not, but it also helps staying focused and more
engaged. Remember, you can always conduct your meeting while standing which
makes the straight posture much easier than while sitting.
Hand gestures are considered by non-verbal communication experts to be a powerful aspect of communication influencing both the speaker and the listener. When you use gestures while talking, your thinking abilities increase significantly, as well as it enables you to form your thoughts more clearly. You can also explain something better, or even wave hello to welcome everybody appearing in the meeting room. So definitely it helps you build your professional and positive look more effectively. To make your hand gestures more comfortable, try not to sit too close to the screen. Take a step back, so that your hands and torso are embraced by the camera. Remember, if you use your hands, especially while being online, you are seen more energetic and warm, and for sure your message will be conveyed more effectively. No one wants to see a host of the meeting absolutely disengaged or robot-like.
All in all, you may not like the virtual life, still it governs itself with its own rules and you need to be consciuous of them. Besides since about 70% of the communication is conveyed through non-verbal communication, just remember to switch on your camera, unless you have something to hide.
Source : Authors` own elaboration based on Black, (9 September 2020).
Discuss the following
words and expressions with a partner and write out a definition for each. You
may refer to the Merriam Webster online dictionary if you like.
- facial expression
- be attributed to
- distract
- display
- posture
- intimidating
- interlocutor
- convey a message
- acknowledge
- disengaged
- underestimate
- be launched