Tips For Effective Non-Verbal Communication On Video

93% of communication impact comes from nonverbal cues. In our virtual-first world, your nonverbal signals speak volumes about your leadership. After analyzing hundreds of executive interviews, I've identified 8 nonverbal signals that dramatically impact trust in virtual meetings: 1. Open Palms Visible hand gestures with open palms signal honesty and openness.   ✅ According to anthropological research, showing palms has been a universal trust signal across cultures for millennia. 2. Eye Contact Looking directly at the camera when making key points creates connection.   ✅ Most leaders look at faces on screen instead, missing this critical trust signal. 3. Head Nodding Deliberate nodding while listening demonstrates active engagement. ✅ This small gesture signals respect for others' ideas. 4. Upright Posture Sitting tall with shoulders back conveys confidence and attention. ✅ Poor posture subtly communicates disinterest. 5. Authentic Background A personal yet professional environment signals transparency. ✅ Research suggests artificial backgrounds can create psychological distance. 6. Facial Animation Natural expressions that match your content demonstrate genuine engagement. ✅ Flat expressions create disconnect. 7. Frontal Orientation Facing the camera directly communicates full presence and attention. ✅ Angled positioning suggests divided focus. 8. Mirroring Subtly matching others' pace and tone creates unconscious rapport. ✅ This established psychological principle works even through screens. The most successful leaders don't just focus on what they say. They strategically manage how they appear. Which of these trust signals could you strengthen in your next virtual meeting?

Not sure who needs to hear this, but… turn on your self-view during video calls. Know where your camera is. Look into it when you’re speaking. Not looking into the camera makes you look disengaged—even when you’re not. We all got a pass in 2020 when everyone was forced to become Zoom power users. But it’s 2025, and I’m still talking to people’s foreheads… or watching them speak to the “ghost” sitting next to me… or worse, not even look up from their keyboard. Periodically check your self-view. Those little mannerisms—playing with your beard, scratching your nose, fixing your hair—are all front and center on the other person’s screen. If you’re on a call with someone in a conference room, remember: your face might be three feet tall on the big screen. People notice your reactions way more than you think. And if you’re on a podcast or interview? Tape a sticky note next to your camera that says “Look here!” A simple hack that instantly upgrades how you come across. Video calls may never feel quite like in-person, but small tweaks in how you show up on camera can make a big difference in how you’re received—and the connection you build.

What do I do with my hands? You know that weird, slightly awkward feeling when you’re on a dance floor, getting your picture taken, or standing at a bar without holding a drink? What about on a Zoom meeting? Honestly, I wasn't thinking about them at all. I’d just cling to my coffee mug or awkwardly rest my hands on the keyboard. Then I listened to a podcast about body language on video calls... and down the rabbit hole I went. Here are a few interesting things I've learned and started implementing on calls: - Show your hands right away. Once a meeting starts, do a quick wave, hold your coffee cup between your hands, or even just rest them visibly. When we can’t see someone’s hands, our brain unconsciously registers that as a potential threat or that they're hiding something. - Back it up. Sitting too close to the camera creates the “floating head” effect. Sit about an arm’s length away so your gestures feel natural, not cramped. -  Facial expressions matter more on camera. What looks neutral in person can come off as flat or checked out on Zoom. Smile slightly more. Use head tilts. Nod when you’re listening. Stay visually present (even when you’re on mute). There are so many other good tips I could share. No one ever taught me how important body language is when selling remotely. But in a competitive market, I want to stand out. Not just with what I say, but how I show up on screen. Little things like hand placement, facial expressions, and posture can shape how I’m perceived and how well I connect. Do you have any go-to nonverbal cues you use on video calls? Sorry if this post made you suddenly hyper-aware of your hands and body on calls! I know that’s exactly what happened to me when I first learned about all this!