In-person, we’re used to interpreting facial expressions and nonverbal cues. Workers need to be able to adapt to the small changes in communication that remote work brings about.

When working face-to-face, the majority of employees have a natural awareness of these non-verbal cues, which are all ways we communicate without words. Examples include your boss’s nod or grimace, or a colleague’s uncomfortable shift in a chair. Because of our taught social skills, most of us have developed some proficiency in reading others’ nonverbal cues, and we also know how to convey our own messages subtly. Consider your innate ability to, for example, smile when you meet a client, create eye contact when you speak, and maintain a confident demeanor when you are being interviewed. According to Mi Ridell, a body language specialist located in Stockholm, Sweden, your attitude and how you come across through non-verbal communication are crucial if you want to positively impact people. People frequently respond to your actions more than your words, since your actions convey your true thoughts, feelings, and intentions, according to Dutch nonverbal communication specialist Annemieke Meurs-Karels.

Although we’ve been taught the value of non-verbal clues in face-to-face interactions, this type of communication can appear less significant in a virtual setting. Nowadays, a lot of business discussions take place over online chats, and even video meetings can be conducted without cameras. The shift in non-verbal communication is another upheaval that employees must manage in the modern workplace, but if they comprehend how these subtle signals are changing, they will benefit.