112: Rachel Cossar – Nonverbal Communication

Guest: Rachel Cossar

Guest Bio:

Rachel Cossar is a leader in the field of nonverbal communication and leadership presence facilitation. As a former nationally ranked athlete and professional ballet dancer, Rachel has a knack for translating unique skills into relatable business skills and competencies.

Virtual Sapiens comes as an evolution of Rachel's combined work as founder of Choreography for Business, a nonverbal communication consulting firm as well as a faculty member with Mobius Executive Leadership and as a leadership presence facilitator with Ariel Group. Rachel has worked with leaders from GE, BCG, Pfizer, Accenture, McKinsey, HBS and more.

With the increased dependency of video events as a way to connect and drive impact across organizations, Rachel and her team at Virtual Sapiens are excited to open up a world of access when it comes to one of the most human, and most important skills in business – communication.

Key Points:

The Evolution of Virtual Sapiens

· Virtual Sapiens emerged from Rachel's work experience in leadership coaching, combining cutting-edge AI technology with her expertise in nonverbal communication.

· The platform helps professionals improve their communication and leadership presence, particularly in virtual settings.

Importance of Nonverbal Communication

· Nonverbal communication goes beyond body language, encompassing facial expressions, posture, tone of voice, speech rate, and even things like what you're wearing or how you use hand gestures.

· These cues are vital to the way we connect and relate to others, often influencing perceptions more strongly than words.

· Rachel emphasizes the power of nonverbal cues, especially in virtual communication, where they can have a more pronounced effect due to the limited sensory feedback compared to in-person interactions.

Lessons from Ballet and Teamwork

· Rachel's experience as a dancer in the corps de ballet taught her the importance of awareness of others and being attuned to both team dynamics and audience perception.

· This awareness is key in business communication—understanding other people's needs and how to build relationships effectively is a transferable skill from dance to leadership and sales.

Nonverbal Communication in Virtual Settings

· Video communication requires specific adjustments, such as ensuring eye-level camera placement, proper background setup, and the ability to use hand gestures effectively on camera.

· Virtual backgrounds can also send a message—whether professional or distracting—so attention to the environment is crucial.

· Key nonverbal behaviors in video communication include facial expressions (which should be varied to avoid a flat or disengaged appearance), posture, and voice tone.

Challenges of Virtual Communication

· Many professionals feel more confident in in-person settings but struggle with virtual interactions, losing connection and presence.

· Overcoming these challenges requires intentional practice and mastery of digital presence, something that can be learned through training and AI-assisted tools.

AI-powered Coaching with Virtual Sapiens

· Virtual Sapiens use AI to analyze video interactions and provide real-time feedback on both verbal and nonverbal communication.

· The AI offers insights on hand gestures, facial expressions, tone, filler words, and overall engagement to improve communication effectiveness.

Guest Links:

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