“Digital body language” is a concept that is becoming increasingly important in the modern working world – especially now that many of us are working remotely. After all, everyday communication now takes place almost exclusively digitally.
A large part of physical body language occurs automatically – its reflexive and instinctive, and unintentional. Similarly, a lot of how we interpret another person’s physical social cues happens in our subconscious – we recognize that, for example, crossed arms means someone is closed off or upset; we understand this without even being conscious of this understanding.
That said, we’re not merely reduced to our animal instincts: you can learn to consciously control and channel your body language to improve your communication. Furthermore, this applies to both physical and digital body language.
What is digital body language?
Digital body language is body language invisible at first glance, that you use in the digital space when you communicate via email, messenger, chat, or conference call. The way in which you communicate digitally says a lot about you, your attitude, your intentions and expectations.
However, digital body language is more difficult to grasp and interpret than physical body language, which inevitably leads to misunderstandings. For effective communication in the workplace, it’s important to learn how to control your own digital body language and correctly interpret that of others.
Digital body language in the new normal
In the new normal, digital-only communication is seen increasingly as a daily occurrence where most misunderstandings can occur. Tiny, barely noticeable reactions often reveal what you think about something without you having to express it verbally. Approval, rejection, uncertainty, joy, anger, surprise, and so much more is revealed by your body language to your counterpart.
But body language – as the name suggests – is physical and therefore not easily transferable to the digital world, where physicality takes a back seat. Nevertheless, it’s not as if you’re not revealing anything about yourself here – quite the opposite.
Even in the new normal, you are constantly sending out signals. Often, however, these signals do not match your intentions, and even more often they are misinterpreted by those on the other end of the call.
Challenges of digital body language
In her recently published book, “Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance”, author, speaker, and expert in the field of communication, Erica Dhawan, clearly explains what constitutes digital body language and how you can both manage and improve it.
Using practical examples from her everyday work as a consultant for large companies, Dhawan shows how delicate the topic of digital body language still is, because as digitization advances, the misunderstandings that can arise through digital communication also increase.
Situations we are all familiar with one way or another; an email is misinterpreted, causing worry, prejudice and the feeling of rejection. All of these negative emotions could have been prevented if the author of the email was more aware of their own digital body language and how to correctly express themselves digitally.
Digital body language in the workplace
In the modern working world, with hybrid work models and ever-faster digitization, optimal digital body language is more important than ever. Whether among colleagues, in contact with customers, or in training sessions – digitalization has made how you say something increasingly important. It’s almost more important than what you actually say.
The how conveys an impression about your attitude. Short and concise comes across as unfriendly, too long and detailed is time-consuming and pretentious. Excessive use of smileys and emoticons comes across as insecure, and so on.
Internal communication within a company faces a particular challenge when it comes to digital body language. Cross-team collaboration and digital communication among colleagues who otherwise don’t have much to do with each other is particularly prone to misunderstandings and misinterpretations.
The 4 laws of digital body language
To better understand the challenges and opportunities of modern communication, Erica Dhawan defines the 4 Laws of digital body language:
1. Value visibly
Where an approving nod or a thanking smile is not possible, appreciation must be expressed in a different way. For example, via a like or a comment in the chat window of a call. Take the time to read emails carefully and calmly, and always respond with a brief reply. Actively communicate, this strengthens trust and respect.
2. Communicate carefully
Misunderstandings are often more difficult to resolve than in the moment when they could have been avoided. It’s worthwhile for all parties involved to communicate carefully and to be particularly attentive with the choice of words and the manner of communication. Express yourself as clearly as possible to minimize the risk of being misunderstood.
3. Collaborate confidently
The modern working world stirs up fear, insecurity and worry. Overcoming these to be able to make decisions with a healthy self-confidence is the third law of digital body language. Don’t question everything over and over again. Trust that your team will understand and respect your decisions.
4. Trust totally
The fourth law can only come into effect if the previous three laws are respected. Believe in your team, 100%. In an openly structured team, you can rely on every single member to tell the truth, keep their word, and do their jobs – without you having to control everything.
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5 core elements of good digital body language
In addition to the 4 laws of digital body language just mentioned, Erica Dhawan also lists 5 core strategies for good digital body language. She explains in this YouTube video what you should pay attention to in order to avoid misunderstandings and position yourself positively.
1. Brevity creates confusion
Don’t underestimate the coldness that short, succinct communication conveys online. One-syllable responses come across as dismissive, and while you may think you’re doing everyone a favor with a one-line email because you’re not holding up their attention for long, it’s likely that you’ll come across as unfriendly and more likely to cause confusion.
Everything doesn’t always need to be elaborate and long, but if you do keep it short, make sure it’s a few friendly words you send. Find a balance between one-syllable and mile-long to avoid misunderstandings or frustration.
2. “Communicate your mind” mindset
In the digital world, your counterpart can know even less about what you’re like in the real world. That’s why it’s even more important that you express yourself clearly. Whether composing an email, holding a presentation, in a meeting, or in a chat, always take the time to say (or write) exactly what you want your counterpart to know.
3. Hold your horses
You certainly have that one colleague who is always the first to respond to an email. That one person who always and immediately has an answer ready and always seems to be one step ahead of everyone else – even if these quick answers often later turn out to be wrong or at least not quite accurate.
For good digital body language, it is essential to think through your communication well and take the time to give a well-informed and concise response. It’s not about speed, it’s about quality, and the benefits you gain greatly when you take time to think before you speak.
4. Assume the best intent
In the modern working world nowadays, you often see your colleagues – if at all – via webcam. This makes it much easier for misunderstandings to occur than if you can look your counterpart in the face in order to better understand a conversation.
Erica Dhawan stresses that in the digital world (even more so than in the “real” one) it is always worthwhile to assume that the other person has only the best intentions in mind. Interpretations and assumptions only lead to misunderstandings. Just as you should communicate as openly and transparently as possible, you should also assume that your conversation partners do the same.
Refrain from interpretations and if you have doubts, then ask more questions to get some reassurance. By the way, this is usually best done by telephone. A direct conversation always helps to clear up misunderstandings quickly.
5. Find your voice
Ultimately, it’s entirely up to you how you want to be perceived. One advantage of digital body language is that you can influence and control it much more than your physical body language.
That’s why it’s important to take a close look at your virtual self and your digital behavior. This also helps you to understand why your colleagues react to you the way they do and offers a wonderful opportunity to learn something about yourself.
Digital body language in virtual classrooms
In her Masterclass Webinar, Jo Cook, speaker and facilitator, specializing in virtual classrooms, webinars and live online learning technology, also addressed the topic of digital body language.
For Jo Cook, it is particularly important not to try to “read” the body language of participants via a webcam in a virtual classroom, the same way it would be possible in a physical classroom. Firstly, because there are many good reasons not to turn on the webcam, and secondly, because physical body language in a virtual classroom is incoherent and therefore misleading.
In a virtual classroom, there should be room for the digital body language of everyone present, with or without a webcam. Interaction and the manner of active participation can help interpret a person’s digital body language.
Check out the recording of the webinar here.
Digital body language and Speexx
At Speexx, we place great emphasis on providing our customers and their employees with the optimal solution for continuing education within the company. Our coaches undergo in-depth training to provide your learners with the best advice and guide them to optimal learning success.
Speexx offers 1:1 coaching, advanced AI, personalized content, virtual classroom sessions, 24/7 support for your learners, and the best tools for analytics and progress tracking. All 100% digital, all with your individual needs in mind.
For over 15 years, we at Speexx have been working to make corporate digital training as accessible and successful as possible for everyone. Digital touchpoints such as the importance of digital body language, optimizing your virtual classroom and moving from face-to-face to digital are topics close to our hearts.
