If there were ever numbers associated with body language and, they would be 55, 38, and 7. People often refer to these numbers as the standard for understanding nonverbal communication and expressing its importance—specifically over the words being spoken.How often have you heard someone say over 80% (or even 90%) of communication is body language or nonverbal?
Perhaps even you might have said it, but do you know where it originates from?The numbers represent the percentages of importance that varying communication channels have. The is that 55% of communication is body language, 38% is the tone of voice, and 7% is the actual words spoken.Is that true? Well, yes and no.Firstly, the history behind this often quoted, and equally often misunderstood magic set of percentages is often unknown, which I think happens to be the main the reason it is not fully understood. The famous (at least in nonverbal communication circles!) researcher Albert Mehrabian is responsible for this percentage breakdown detailing the importance of nonverbal communication channels compared to verbal channels. Actually, it was two research studies (Mehrabian & Wiener, 1967 and Mehrabian & Ferris, 1967) combined that resulted in the 55/38/7 formula.The Mehrabian and Ferris study actually consists of a predecessor formula to the 55/38/7 formula: 60/40. The 60/40 formula they created represents the comparison of importance between facial (60%) and vocal (40%) components in regards to a person's attitude.The problem with this, as with the general study of nonverbal communication, is that it is inaccurate to claim that a formula is absolute and applies to every situation.What does Mehrabian think of this? He agrees!The formula was created for a specific context—when the nonverbal channel and the verbal channel are incongruent (not matching).
As he writes in his book Nonverbal Communication: 'When there are inconsistencies between attitudes communicated verbally and posturally, the postural component should dominate in determining the total attitude that is inferred.' So should you still quote the 55/38/7 percentage at the next dinner party to show your nonverbal communication knowledge? Should you include an asterisk? Well, when I mention the 55/38/7 numbers, I clearly state that this applies to certain situations and, more importantly, should not be used as a deciding factor to try and understand the situation. A proper analysis needs to occur to fully grasp what the person's current emotions are at that moment. Source: 3 Cs of Nonverbal Communication. Jeff ThompsonOne way of increasing your accuracy is by applying the 3 C's of Nonverbal Communication: context, clusters, and congruence.
Context includes what environment the situation is taking place in, the history between the people, and other factors such as each person's role (for example, an interaction between a boss and employee).Looking for nonverbal communication gestures in clusters prevents us from allowing a single gesture or movement to be definitive in determining a person's state of mind or emotion. Sure, crossing your arms at your chest can be a sign of being resistant and close-minded. However, if the person's shoulders are raised and their teeth are chattering, they might just be cold!Finally, congruence we already discussed above in regards to the formula. Do the spoken words match the tone and body language? After someone falls, and they verbally state they are fine, however their face is grimacing and their voice is shaky, you might want to probe a little deeper.The 55/38/7 percentage and the 3 C's of Nonverbal Communication remind us that, when trying to understand others, a single gesture or comment does not necessarily mean something. Instead, these theories allow us to take note and observe more to get a better understanding of what is going on.
These non-verbal elements can present a listener with important clues to the speaker’s thoughts and feelings and thus substantiate or contradict the speaker’s words. The most commonly and casually cited study on the relative importance of verbal and nonverbal messages in personal communication is one by Prof. Albert Mehrabian of the. The Process of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication 1413 Words 6 Pages Communication Paper Introduction Communication is important to virtually all spheres of human influence. Through communication, man is empowered to understand his immediate environment.
With smartphones in everyone’s hand, often texting using words and symbols are sent to convey the message.It involves organized set of words in the form of languages that makes it easier for people to send messages or talk.Through verbal communication we are able to inform others of what we intend to convey or for imparting knowledge to others. The key factor is to bring about clarification to missing information and misunderstandings that may arise. Non-Verbal Modes of Communication:Nonverbal communication plays an important role in creating a good impact. This mode of communication just co-exists with verbal wherein it includes facial expressions, gestures, body postures and eye contact.Also known as, this mode of communication usually co-exists with verbal communication.Our reinforces the message clearly and makes an impression that lasts long. It helps to complement or contradict statements just by a facial expression!
It can create a great impact. Importance of Verbal and Nonverbal Communication:Though there are various modes of communication, we focus on verbal and nonverbal modes especially in workplace. Let’s have a brief into the two modes separately. Importance of Verbal Communication at Workplace:1. Correcting wrong:Just guess there was a file to be saved and you made a small error. By saying “I am sorry for the error” will save you.It’s the power of word “” that is effective as it is part of verbal communication. Persuade someone:You need to persuade your co-worker to join up a project, then tricks of persuasion comes to help.
Here your verbal communication skill is there to pull him/her on board. Create relationship:You are new to a workplace and by speaking to counterpart you create a new relationship.Only by making efforts to converse with others do you make new relationships which cannot be done without verbal communication. Bringing clarity:There is a small issue that is to be made understood by the other members and here you could make them understand by using proper syntaxes and semantics.Even writing with proper words will help to make the reader understood especially in emails, memorandums etc. Increases productivity:Without proper communication or getting the message through with the team members it would be impossible to get the maximum output.The team that works with good lateral communication and brings out better results.
Increase job satisfaction:Empowerment of employees through upward and downward communications is a sign of increased.Through flow of information upwards in the form of feedback and if the bosses are responding by listening to them, means the employees are empowered. Positive effect on absenteeism:By communicating facts and updated information from the management downwards brings more transparency and less absenteeism. Sharing of ideas:or within company needs to a two way flow of ideas. If there is a platform to share ideas then it is sure to bring more success to the company. Removes barriers:Effective communications helps to remove the hurdles that is between the management and the employees working.Words properly toned and deciphered to the employees will serve as a tool to bridge the gap.
Clear and transparent communication is the key to the success. Gives motivation:Words of support and appreciation provided by management at the right time boost the confidence level of the employees and in turn helps in productivity.As motivation has a direct impact on the productivity, verbal communications play a crucial role in providing feedback and recognising individuals in the form of emails, memorandums, announcements, newsletters, etc. Importance of Nonverbal Communication in the Workplace:1. Show agreement or disagreement:There is a meeting between colleagues and sometimes the speech would talk of a point that requires a consent from the audience.You would have noted that a nod can make a difference of expression. This gesture of ‘nod’ shows that the listeners are in favour implying a “ yes’ or “ no’ for an answer. Maintaining relationships:A smile in the face while entering the room or wishing them makes the day.
This is a sign for which is very critical in a workplace. Lack of listening:If you are speaking to a team member and he/she is not maintaining eye contact while talking then it shows that they are not listening to you.They show signs of disinterest. That’s why it is always said to maintain eye contact when the other side is talking.
It will ensure the message is being carried to opposite side. Not interested:If a team leader is having internal meet and he/she observes that one member is looking down or out the window / door it means that he /she is distracted and not interested or in paying attention.Such kind of communications needs to be observed and counselled. This way the team leader would be bringing in focus with the objectives. Aspects of para language:Paralanguage is an aspect which relates to the volume of the voice, pitch, speed of the words. If you are speaking too fast then communication is not clear.If your voice is too low then also the message is not conveyed to the targeted audience.
By pausing between words or repeating words will make the specific aspect being registered in their mind. Sign of confidence:In a workplace, postures denote our attributes.
When we stand upright and keep our head straight maintaining eye contact when conversing with our co-workers or managers it indicates our confidence.Also while sitting, having knees place slightly apart and arms away from the body indicates that you are relaxed and confident. Sign of detachment:Standing with crossed arms over chest or sitting at the tip of the chair in hunched posture shows signs of detachment.Even, standing drooped down or looking down frequently shows that the person is not interested. It will create wrong signal.
Reassuring interest:Facial expressions that are being reflected in the other person like mirror assures interest in the other. Such nonverbal modes of mirroring someone is frequently observed. Know the culture:Some workplaces have multicultural environment and it is important to have a brief knowledge on the types of cultural acceptances. This means touch being a familiar feature in handshake, pat on the back, tap on the shoulder, etc. Can give different meanings in different culture.Knowing that will save you from being offended in workplace as culture too plays an important role.
Maintaining space:Most of the time workplace discussions requires face to face interaction. In such cases being in close proximity to the person will create uneasiness and this also differs from culture to culture.Most of the time the space between you and your colleague must be optimal so that it is neither too far nor too close. Conclusion:So you can see that whether verbal or nonverbal, why communication is important in workplace. Communication is the core of a business and it can either be your best friend or worst enemy.The effectiveness of verbal communication within a business is similar to the role of nonverbal communication in business.
Individuals would need to review their communication skills that they possess and try to improve over them keeping in mind the pros and cons.The major aspect is that information is to be passed on in a proper way. Lack of information causes organizational disturbances. Hence, organizational communications are important to improve relationships between management and employees.The most important aspect of both the modes of communication is that both are utilised towards mutual understanding and ultimately bring about productive and satisfying results.Through nonverbal communications our attitudes are understood while verbal communication makes our meaning understood to the other party.Save.