Digital Body Language audiobook cover - How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance

Digital Body Language

How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance

Erica Dhawan

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Communication SkillsCareer & Success

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Digital Body Language
The Digital Communication Problem+
Law 1: Valuing Visibly+
Law 2: Communicating Carefully+
Law 3: Collaborating Confidently+
Law 4: Trusting Totally+
Bridging Divides+
Actionable Advice+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9
How do traditional physical body language cues translate into the digital world according to the book?
  • A. Through the use of video cameras and high-definition screens
  • B. Through punctuation, timing, and the choice of medium
  • C. Through the use of formal vocabulary and complex grammar
  • D. Through emojis, GIFs, and virtual backgrounds
Question 2 of 9
In modern digital communication, how has the perception of the period (full stop) at the end of a message changed?
  • A. It is now seen as a sign of professionalism and high education.
  • B. It is frequently interpreted as a sign of aggression or disapproval.
  • C. It is used to indicate that the sender is open to further discussion.
  • D. It is considered a mandatory requirement for all casual text messages.
Question 3 of 9
What does the author mean by the phrase 'reading carefully is the new listening'?
  • A. You should read emails aloud to ensure you understand their tone.
  • B. You must reference specific details in your replies to show you paid attention.
  • C. You should always respond to emails within five minutes of receiving them.
  • D. You need to use audio-to-text transcription for all virtual meetings.
Question 4 of 9
According to the book, what practice is considered the 'new empathy' in the digital workplace?
  • A. Writing clearly
  • B. Replying instantly
  • C. Using emojis frequently
  • D. Scheduling regular video calls
Question 5 of 9
What strategy does the author recommend when you receive a digital message that makes you feel frustrated or angry?
  • A. Call the person immediately to resolve the conflict in real-time.
  • B. Reply quickly with short, blunt sentences to show your displeasure.
  • C. Save your response as a draft and wait up to 24 hours before sending it.
  • D. Forward the message to your supervisor to mediate the dispute.
Question 6 of 9
How did Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella demonstrate the principle of 'Trusting Totally' after the AI chatbot Tay failed?
  • A. He fired the lead developers to set a standard of excellence.
  • B. He sent an email supporting the team and encouraging them to keep learning.
  • C. He publicly apologized on Twitter and promised to personally oversee the project.
  • D. He implemented a strict new approval process for all future AI projects.
Question 7 of 9
How can text-based communication in the digital workplace help flatten traditional gender biases?
  • A. By forcing all employees to use anonymous avatars in meetings.
  • B. By deemphasizing traditional physical signs of leadership like voice timbre.
  • C. By using AI algorithms to automatically rewrite emails in a gender-neutral tone.
  • D. By requiring men and women to have equal speaking time on video calls.
Question 8 of 9
When communicating with someone from a 'low-context' culture (like the US or UK), what is the most effective approach?
  • A. Focus on building long-term personal relationships before discussing business.
  • B. Use implicit communication and rely heavily on reading between the lines.
  • C. Always CC a senior manager to respect the organizational hierarchy.
  • D. Use explicit, to-the-point messages with bold text and bullet points.
Question 9 of 9
What actionable advice does the author give to replace the 'watercooler moments' lost in remote work?
  • A. Dedicate the first five to ten minutes of a team meeting to casual, social conversation.
  • B. Mandate a one-hour virtual happy hour every Friday after work.
  • C. Create a dedicated Slack channel exclusively for sharing memes and jokes.
  • D. Pair employees up for weekly, randomly assigned 30-minute phone calls.

Digital Body Language — Full Chapter Overview

Digital Body Language Summary & Overview

Digital Body Language (2021) is your rulebook to clear online communication. Combining cutting-edge research with personal know-how, it demystifies the digital signals that so often stand in for traditional body language.

Who Should Listen to Digital Body Language?

  • Leaders and employees seeking more streamlined digital collaborations
  • Virtual workers who want to improve their online tone and clarity
  • Anyone who’s struggled to convey what they really mean from behind a screen

About the Author: Erica Dhawan

Erica Dhawan is an expert on collaboration in the twenty-first century. She is the founder and CEO of Cotential, a consultancy that helps companies, leaders, and managers leverage collaboration skills and behaviors to maximize their performance. Dhawan has delivered over 200 keynotes around the world, hosts the award-winning podcast Masters of Leadership, and is the coauthor of the best-selling book Get Big Things Done: The Power of Connectional Intelligence. 

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