Decoding Digital Body Language in Remote Meetings

Body language plays a huge role in communication, but in virtual environments, much of it gets lost. That’s where digital body language comes in—the subtle cues we send through timing, tone, formatting, and response styles in digital communication.

I know it is hard, but try to keep your video feed on while on online meetings. I once had a meeting when everyone chose to keep their cameras off, which is fine, but left me feeling like they were not interested in meeting with me at all.

For example, a delayed response to an email might be interpreted as disinterest, even if the delay was due to a packed schedule. Writing in all caps can seem aggressive. Even punctuation choices—like too many exclamation points or none at all—can impact tone.

During video meetings, how you show up matters. Are you making eye contact with the camera? Nodding to show agreement? Muted while someone else is talking? These signals, or lack thereof, can affect how colleagues perceive your engagement. Some platforms include effects activated by hand gestures. These can be a great way to bring up the conversation.

To strengthen digital body language, be intentional. Use clear subject lines. Start messages with a warm greeting. Use formatting (like bold or bullets) to make communication easier to digest. When you can, use video to reintroduce facial expressions and gestures.

Remote work isn’t going anywhere, so mastering digital body language is essential for maintaining clarity, empathy, and trust. It’s not just what you say—but how, when, and where you say it—that builds stronger workplace connections.