Episode #201: Energy Makes Such A Difference In The Online Small Screen

Why do online meetings make even strong presenters look flat?

In many organisations, group meetings now mean staring at a tiny thumbnail in the corner of a monitor. Even highly capable leaders and professionals suddenly appear tired, distant, or disengaged on screen—especially in 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies) where virtual collaboration is now the norm in 東京 (Tokyo) and across Japan.

In repeated online training sessions, one striking pattern emerges: when 15–20 people present back-to-back, those who project more energy through the camera are immediately perceived as more credible, persuasive, and “leader-like” than those who sound or look low-energy—even when everyone is equally prepared and motivated.

Mini-summary: The small screen reduces perceived energy. Unless leaders deliberately raise their on-screen intensity, they will look less committed, less confident, and less convincing than they actually are.

Every presentation—whether it is a formal pitch, a performance review, or an “informational update”—is ultimately about influence. You want people to believe your message, not just hear it.

In virtual settings, audiences quickly decide whether a speaker truly believes what they are saying. When your tone of voice, facial expression, and body language are aligned with your message, you come across as committed and trustworthy. When they are flat or inconsistent, your message loses impact, no matter how strong your logic is.

Dr. Albert Mehrabian’s widely cited work on communication suggests that when what we say and how we say it are incongruent, our message fails most of the time. In practice, this means:

• If the news is positive, your voice and expression should clearly reflect enthusiasm.

• If the topic is serious, your tone and face should show appropriate gravity.

• If your face is neutral while your words are “excited,” people trust what they see, not what they hear.

Mini-summary: Trust in online presentations depends heavily on visible and audible congruence—your words, voice, and expressions must match, or your influence drops sharply.

Audio platforms used in online meetings often compress sound. Shouting distorts, but speaking at your usual in-person volume often sounds flat and weak. The solution is controlled intensity, not loudness.

Practical vocal guidelines:

• Increase your baseline volume slightly. Aim for “confident and clear,” not “shouting into the mic.”

• Punch key words. Intentionally give more energy to the important words in each sentence so your message does not sound monotonous.

• Use purposeful pauses. Short pauses before and after key points give the audience time to process—and make you sound more authoritative.

• Stand when possible. Standing naturally increases breathing capacity and energy, which carries through your voice.

For プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) and 営業研修 (sales training), these vocal techniques directly translate into higher engagement and stronger calls to action in virtual meetings.

Mini-summary: To keep online audiences engaged, deliberately add controlled intensity to your voice and emphasise key words instead of merely speaking louder.

On video, your face is often the main thing people see—yet many presenters keep a neutral expression from start to finish. This “poker face” unintentionally tells the audience that the speaker is bored, tense, or emotionally disconnected from their own message.

Compare two presenters:

• One uses a confident voice, clear eye contact with the camera, and varied facial expressions that match the message.

• Another uses similar words but keeps a blank expression throughout.

The first presenter is seen as more credible, confident, and persuasive. The second is easier to ignore—viewers quietly drift to email, chat, or another browser tab.

For leaders joining リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training) or エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching), learning to consciously use facial expressions that reinforce their message is a key part of building executive presence online.

Mini-summary: Your face is a powerful communication tool on screen. Expressionless delivery causes attention and influence to drop; matched facial expressions make your message feel real and human.

Can gestures work on a small screen or with virtual backgrounds?

Gestures are one of the fastest ways to add energy and clarity to a message—but on camera, they need to be adapted.

With a physical background (no green screen):

• Use natural gestures, but keep them inside the frame of the camera.

• Avoid gestures too close to your body that are invisible, or too wide that go out of shot.

• Record yourself to find the ideal distance from the camera and the best gesture range.

With a virtual or green screen background:

• Wide gestures can cause your arms or hands to “disappear” or be cut off, distracting the audience.

• Keep your hands in front of your body and move them slightly toward the camera instead of sweeping sideways.

• Opt for slightly smaller, more controlled gestures that still show energy without breaking the video effect.

In プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) for 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies), we show participants how to adapt gestures so they are impactful and technically safe in any platform setup.

Mini-summary: Gestures absolutely work online, but they must be framed for the camera. Keep them in shot, slightly forward, and adapted to whether you use a real or virtual background.

How much extra energy do you actually need on screen?

Most professionals underestimate how much energy they appear to project online. You may feel animated and committed, but through a small video window you can still look tired or disengaged.

A practical rule for leaders and managers:

Whatever level of energy you think is “about right” for an online presentation—add at least 20% more.

That extra 20% should show up in:

• A slightly stronger and more confident voice

• More intentional facial expressions

• Clear, visible gestures inside the camera frame

• Sharper emphasis on key points and calls to action

For executives in 東京 (Tokyo) and across Japan investing in リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training), 営業研修 (sales training), プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training), エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching), and DEI研修 (DEI training), this mindset shift turns routine online meetings into high-impact communication moments.

Mini-summary: If you want your online energy to look “normal” and engaging on screen, you must deliver it at a consciously elevated level—around 20% more than feels natural to you.

Founded more than 100 years ago, Dale Carnegie has helped leaders worldwide build confidence, influence, and communication skills in every major business transformation—from face-to-face selling to today’s hybrid and fully virtual work environments.

Our Tokyo office, operating since 1963, has deep experience supporting both 日本企業 (Japanese companies) and 外資系企業 (multinational companies) with:

• リーダーシップ研修 (leadership training) tailored to Japan’s business culture

• 営業研修 (sales training) that upgrades both in-person and virtual selling skills

• プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) with a strong focus on on-screen impact

• エグゼクティブ・コーチング (executive coaching) for senior leaders navigating high-stakes communication

• DEI研修 (DEI training) that supports inclusive communication in diverse, global teams

We work with executives and managers to design and rehearse online presentations that strengthen their executive presence, improve cross-functional alignment, and drive business results.

Mini-summary: Dale Carnegie Tokyo combines global methodology with local expertise to help leaders in Japan transform their online communication into a powerful leadership asset.

• The small screen dramatically reduces perceived energy—without conscious adjustment, even strong presenters look flat and disengaged.

• Trust and influence online depend on aligning your words, voice, facial expressions, and gestures so your message feels authentic and believable.

• Controlled vocal intensity, visible facial expressions, and camera-friendly gestures are essential skills in modern プレゼンテーション研修 (presentation training) and 営業研修 (sales training).

• Adding at least 20% more energy than feels natural is often the difference between a forgettable online meeting and a compelling, business-moving presentation.

Founded in the U.S. in 1912, Dale Carnegie Training has supported individuals and companies worldwide for over a century in leadership, sales, presentation, executive coaching, and DEI. Our Tokyo office, established in 1963, has been empowering both Japanese and multinational corporate clients ever since.

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