5 Ways to Make Your Voice Stand Out in Virtual Meetings
Video call fatigue is real, and it's easy to seem disconnected or disengaged during virtual meetings—even when you're paying attention. Without the physical presence and body language cues of in-person meetings, you need to work harder to show you're actively participating. These five phrases help you demonstrate engagement, contribute meaningfully, and maintain your professional presence on video platforms. They signal to others that you're present, listening, and adding value to the conversation.
1. "That's a great point—can I add to that?"
"That's a great point—can I add to that?"This phrase shows you're actively listening and building on what others have said. By acknowledging someone else's contribution first ("that's a great point"), you demonstrate engagement and respect. The question format ("can I add") is polite and collaborative, making it perfect for virtual meetings where turn-taking can be awkward. It helps combat "Zoom silence" by encouraging dynamic discussion.
2. "I'm nodding along here—I completely agree"
"I'm nodding along here—I completely agree"On video calls, people can't always see your body language clearly, especially in large meetings with multiple participants in gallery view. By verbalizing your agreement, you make your engagement explicit. "Nodding along" is a friendly, conversational phrase that acknowledges you're following the discussion actively. Use this when you agree strongly but don't have additional points to add—it keeps you present in the conversation without unnecessarily extending the meeting.
3. "Just to make sure I'm understanding correctly..."
"Just to make sure I'm understanding correctly..."This phrase serves multiple purposes: it shows you're paying attention, gives you an opportunity to clarify any confusion, and ensures everyone is aligned. In virtual meetings where technical issues or multitasking can cause missed information, checking your understanding demonstrates professionalism. It also invites others to correct or expand, making the conversation more collaborative and reducing miscommunication.
4. "I'd love to hear more about..."
"I'd love to hear more about..."This phrase demonstrates curiosity and active engagement. It shows you're not just passively listening but genuinely interested in diving deeper into specific topics. In virtual meetings where energy can lag, expressing interest helps maintain momentum and encourages others to elaborate. It's particularly effective for showing engagement when you're not the primary speaker, keeping you visible and involved in the conversation.
5. "Before we wrap up, can I raise one quick point?"
"Before we wrap up, can I raise one quick point?""Wrap up" is a common business idiom meaning to conclude or finish. This phrase is perfect for the end of virtual meetings when you want to contribute something important without appearing to drag the meeting out. By saying "one quick point," you acknowledge time constraints while ensuring your contribution is heard. It's especially useful on Zoom where meetings often run right up to the scheduled end time.