You might be shocked...

Research shows that, whether speaking to one or more people, the actual words you use to express yourself account for only about 7% of the message others receive from you. Only 7%!! I was stunned when I heard that - just think about how much effort we put into carefully crafting our words so that just the right message is delivered.

So what could be sending the stronger message? Well, it is predominately our body language - about 55%, in fact. This means that your posture, facial expressions, eye contact, stance, gestures, energy level, confidence level, and even clothing and hairstyle have more impact on the listener than your words do.

The remaining 38% is another key factor with more impact than your words - your vocal delivery. That means how you say what you say carries more weight with the listener than does what you say alone. This includes the tone of your voice, your inflection, your perceived sincerity and how quickly you speak.

Looking at it another way, about 93% of your message when speaking is delivered through non-verbal cues. This is very important to acknowledge. When you prepare to communicate an important message, you need to consider both the message but also how you will deliver your message.

How a listener interprets your message is this: if what you say seems to be in line with your verbal tone and your body language, your message will be believed. If what you say seems to be in conflict with your non-verbal signals, you will not be believed, no matter how accurate and beautifully crafted your message may be. It is that simple.

Ever heard the phrases 'actions speak louder than words' or 'seeing is believing'? Well, the research backs it up.

Note: Many studies support these percentages, including the comprehensive study completed by Professor Albert Mehrabian at the University of California (on non-verbal communication).

Bet you didn't realize that we listen better with our eyes than we do our ears...
the communication guru