In person, we’re accustomed to reading nonverbal cues like facial expressions. Employees must be able to adjust to the minor adjustments in communication that remote work entails.

Most workers are naturally aware of these non-verbal cues when interacting face-to-face, and they are all means by which we communicate without using words. Examples include a coworker shifting uncomfortably in a chair or your supervisor nodding or frowning. Because of our social skills, most of us have learned to interpret nonverbal cues from others and gently communicate our own messages. Think about, for instance, your natural ability to smile when you greet a customer, make eye contact while you speak, and keep a confident manner when you are being interviewed. If you want to make a positive impression on others, your attitude and how you come across through non-verbal communication are key, according to Mi Ridell, a body language expert based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Despite the fact that we have been taught the importance of non-verbal cues in face-to-face conversations, this style of communication can seem less relevant in a virtual environment. Online chats are now often used for corporate talks, and video meetings can even be held without cameras. Employees in the modern workplace must also deal with another change: the shift in non-verbal communication.