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Be careful when using a second screen. I have attended some online meetings where people participated looking at the second screen the whole time. It may seem quite disrespectful, because you loose eye contact. Make sure to hold the meeting in the main screen (with the camera) and use the second screen for supporting documents.

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If you are using a virtual background for the Zoom call, make sure that is professional and not distracting. It helps everyone to focus their attention on the discussion at hand. It also helps to present yourself in a professional manner.

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If you're the host of the meeting, I've read it's good netiquette to be the last person to leave the meeting, otherwise it's like leaving your own party before all the guests have left.

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I'd like to expand on Jennifer's point that you need to be acutely aware of how you're coming across on camera. This is especially true since nearly everyone is now using webinar platforms because Covid-19 has forever changed the way we can safely communicate with one another. Did you know that nearly 90% of our communication is non-verbal according to body language researcher Albert Mehrabian? He found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only. What does that mean for us when we are sharing our thoughts through the Zoom platform? It means that we need to aim to show up as the best version of ourselves at every meeting, by being professional, thoughtful, engaging, and truly listening to one another.

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The University of Texas Permian Basin | UTPB

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We've all heard that 90% of communication is nonverbal, but is there any truth to this adage? When someone reads a transcript of a politician's impassioned speech, are they really missing out on the majority of the message? While the audience may get the essence of what's being said, there will always be something lost in translation when nonverbal communication isn't conveyed. Conversely, nonverbal communication can shed light on the hidden truth within a message.

Information is no longer limited to print. It's delivered through social media, television, blogs, and other channels of communication. Professionals interested in a communications career have to concern themselves with not only what's being said but how it's said. Let's take a look at how much of communication is nonverbal and how professionals with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication can use nonverbal signals to better their personal and professional lives.

The 55/38/7 Formula

The 90% figure wasn't plucked out of thin air. It was Albert Mehrabian, a researcher of body language, who first broke down the components of a face-to-face conversation. He found that communication is 55% nonverbal, 38% vocal, and 7% words only. This is where the idea that the vast majority of communication is nonverbal originated, but does this really mean that less than 10% of information is conveyed in spoken words?

It turns out that the above formula was developed with a specific purpose in mind: comparing facial and vocal components to decipher a person's attitude. According to Mehrabian, "When there are inconsistencies between attitudes communicated verbally and posturally, the postural component should dominate in determining the total attitude that is inferred." Is 90% of communication nonverbal? No, information is conveyed verbally, but in a face-to-face conversation, body language and facial expressions can have an incredible impact on how information is interpreted.

In " The Definitive Book of Body Language," Allan and Barbara Pease analyzed thousands of recorded sales negotiations from the 1970s and 1980s and found that body language accounted for the majority of the impact made negotiating. They also considered how the person with the strongest argument usually wins in negotiations over the phone but not always in face-to-face conversations. Although the idea that 90% of communication is nonverbal can be put to rest, a person's body language and our first impression of them can heavily influence our decision-making.

The Power of Body Language

Now that we know that we know the important role nonverbal signals play in communication, how can we use body language and tone to communicate more effectively? Perhaps more importantly, how can we prevent nonverbal forms of communication from falsely influencing our perceptions of others?

Making a Good First Impression

If you're interested in a communications career, you'll come to learn the true value of a first impression. Allan and Barbara Pease also assert that when we meet people for the first time, we make snap judgments about their friendliness, assertiveness, and appearance. Without a single word being spoken, without even realizing it, people use nonverbal communication to size people up.

According to the 55/38/7 formula, nearly 40% of a person's attitude is conveyed vocally through tone and inflection, so try to ensure that your tone matches whatever message you're trying to convey. You can also try speaking in a deeper voice. Research has shown that people who speak with a low-pitched voice are rated more authoritative and competent than those who speak with a higher pitch.

Although people are rarely conscious of their body language and facial expressions, there are a couple of behaviors a person can tweak to improve their communication skills. For instance, research has shown that it takes conscious effort for a person to frown when looking at someone smiling-a smile is literally infectious. Research also shows that both men and women are more attracted to people who make eye contact and smile more often. A smile and just the right amount of eye contact can help you effectively convey information during first impressions and long after.

Hand gestures can not only express your thoughts but also convey your enthusiasm and passion for a topic. According to body language expert Dr. Carol Kinsey Goman, "Gesturing can help people form clearer thoughts, speak in tighter sentences and use more declarative language." As with tone, try to ensure that your hand gestures match what you're saying, otherwise people will notice the mismatch and may be less likely to trust you.

Interpreting Body Language

Body language can also provide insight into a person's emotional condition. For example, you likely already know that someone who crosses their arms is guarded or discontent even when they claim the contrary. Reading body language is like learning a second language and can help separate perception from reality.

According to Dr. Jeff Thompson, we can better decipher nonverbal signals by remembering the three C's of nonverbal communication: context, clusters, and congruence. We've already covered congruence-comparing spoken words to body language and tone. Applying context means better understanding the setting. For example, knowing that someone has anxiety can explain why they appear tense during a fireworks display. Finally, using clusters means using not one but multiple expressions or movements to influence our interpretation of a person's body language.

There's So Much More to Communication

How much of communication is nonverbal? It may not be exactly 90%, but nonverbal communication-eye contact, smiling, hand gestures-heavily influences how people interpret and react to information. This is an important lesson to learn for anyone interested in a communications career, and it's only the tip of the iceberg.

The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an online BA in communication program that teaches theories on communication with regard to human interactions, groups and organizations, intercultural interactions, and mass and social media. Whether you're working toward a career in journalism, speechwriting, or social media, our online program can empower you with the skills needed to convey your message clearly and profoundly.

Learn more about UT Permian Basin's online BA in communication program.

Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/books/chapters/0924-1st-peas.html https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-words/201109/is-nonverbal-communication-numbers-game https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/attraction-evolved/201906/deep-impact-asserting-authority-low-pitched-voice https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/201206/there-s-magic-in-your-smile https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashleystahl/2017/09/13/5-body-language-tips-for-success/#295ea5246419

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How Much of Communication Is Nonverbal? | UT Permian Basin Online

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How much of communication is nonverbal? In UTPB's online BA in communication program, students learn that nonverbal signals have a profound effect on how we interpret information.

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When attending video meetings, we always have to make sure that we have the right light so that everyone can see and give keen attention to the speaker.

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If you find yourself distracted by your own image, try 'Hide Self View' so you can really focus on the speaker. However, be aware that everyone can still see you. Hiding your self also seems to work better in larger groups as the conversation has multiple participants and may not focus on you. When in smaller meetings or interviews, you likely want to keep your image on to ensure you are presenting yourself exactly as you had hoped.

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Try not to move the position of your computer/camera/yourself once the meeting has begun. It can make others quite dizzy.

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If you are multitasking, your facial response to your alternative task may be distracting and come across as disengaged or rude in your meeting task. Ensure you are aware of how you are coming across on camera.
I try to always say hello when I enter a room, or write it in the chat if the group is on mute.

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Be aware of the camera and pay attention when others are speaking, as you would in an in-person meeting. This allows for greater feelings of engagement and inclusion for those speaking.

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Shonagh made an excellent point, and I would like to add to it!  Sharing your screen also means that you may be sharing tabs, open web pages or homepage icons and pics.  Be sure you have closed off anything you don't want anyone to see before sharing your screen.

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Being concise and making your point quickly may be more effective in a virtual environment as it may be harder to look for non verbal cues that indicate the listeners' level of attention.

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If sharing your screen to show documents when speaking in a Zoom meeting, ensure the font is large enough to enable other participants to easily read the contents.  This is especially true for spreadsheets.

Although it might be tempting, try not to multitask during online meetings. If you would not do this during a meeting in person, do not do this task while online.