Have you ever heard the saying that only 7 percent of communication is in words, while the remaining 93 percent is through body language and vocal expression? You most likely have, and if you’re sensible, you’ve disregarded it. Many of us have heard variations of the idea that body language is the most crucial aspect of communication or that it outweighs verbal communication. I must disagree with those statements – they’re completely untrue. Generations of self-help experts have been disseminating false information and unhelpful advice rooted in this concept. Articles on interpreting body language have proliferated online, all of them overemphasizing the significance of body language in our communication. The myth doesn’t even hold up to logical scrutiny if you take a moment to think about it.
Debunking the 55% Myth
The myth claims that 55% of communication relies on body language, asserts that 38% depends on one’s tone of voice, and only 7% hinges on their actual words. Are they, by any chance, trying to explain complex ideas to colleagues through interpretive dance? Consequently, all those articles stressing the significance of body language in business communication frequently cite the 7% verbal communication figure or something similar. However, the author behind these studies debunks these claims. This myth, initially encountered in grade school, seemed dubious then and continues to do so today. Now, we are subjected to presentations about the importance of body language, and presenters repeatedly present the same recycled information year after year. They fail to provide concrete evidence to substantiate their claims. Such presentations and training sessions are a source of frustration for individuals who experience them. They receive training on this topic at least once or twice a year, and this training remains unchanged. Presenters assert these claims but provide no real-world evidence beyond vague generalities.
Questioning the Expertise
Their claims may sound appealing, wonderful, and profound. They seem to be supported by experts, although these experts are never named, and they provide very few specific details. The individual can distinctly explain the importance of email to their job and the tangible benefits it brings. However, it’s puzzling why they can’t provide similarly specific explanations regarding the importance of body language.
The Role of Body Language
To a certain extent, body language may have some importance, but in most cases, it’s not a significant factor. There’s virtually a 0% chance that it’s the most crucial aspect of our communication (*that statistic is an approximation). From a rational perspective, it doesn’t add up. It could be argued that it’s the least important part of our communication and often entirely irrelevant.
Specific Contexts: Mental Health and Professions
In specific fields of work, such as mental health, body language might have some importance, but it’s far from being the most critical aspect of communication. For instance, someone displaying signs of depression through body language might not be placed on suicide watch, unlike someone who explicitly states their intention to harm themselves. This is because body language is more subjective than verbal language. Decisive action related to body language typically comes into play only when the body is actively harming itself, which doesn’t quite classify as a form of language.
Alternative Communication Methods
However, in professions where verbal communication is hindered or not practical, such as in sign language or the signaling used by flag wavers on aircraft carriers, body language could indeed be the most important mode of communication. For most of us in typical environments, this isn’t the most efficient means of communication.
Tone of Voice in Communication
The tone of voice holds more importance than body language, but what’s even more crucial is the actual message being conveyed. The inflection and tone in one’s voice can aid in interpreting that message at times. How a person positions their body matters very little, and people don’t typically alter their body language significantly during regular conversations unless they are experiencing intense emotions, like during an argument when it becomes evident that someone might become physically aggressive.
Social Interactions and Romantic Relationships
While body language can play a role in social interactions, it still takes a secondary role to the actual message and the tone of voice. In social settings, we might make subtle shifts in our body positions and exchange small non-verbal cues, but more often than not, we’re already expressing our feelings loudly and clearly with our words.
In the context of romantic relationships, body language can provide some insight, but it’s also prone to misinterpretation. Determining whether the positive signals come from you or the environment can be challenging. Relying solely on them for your actions might lead to awkward situations or even trouble.
The Significance of How You Say It
You might have heard the phrase, “it isn’t what you say, but how you say it.” This encompasses both the choice of words and the tone in your voice. For example, when speaking to a dog, you can say nearly anything with a positive or excited tone and receive a happy response. With humans, it’s a bit more complex because they can comprehend your words more clearly. However, maintaining a positive tone while delivering bad news can help prevent a situation from escalating into something more severe.
If the Myth Held Truth – Books, Emails, and This Blog – Would Be Ineffective
You’re absolutely right. The idea that you’re only conveying 7% of your message through text is quite absurd. While body language may not help express your frustration with the persistent myth, if I’m reading your words, I’m understanding more than 7% of your intent. You’ve already indicated your irritation with the myth in your message.
Tone of voice can indeed enhance the message, but conveying humor in written communication can be challenging, and it’s easy for the tone to be misinterpreted. Written text can sometimes make you appear angry when you’re actually indifferent or vice versa. Humor, in particular, can be tricky to convey effectively through writing.
Final Words
It’s abundantly clear, almost to the point of absurdity, that the significance of body language in our communication has been exaggerated for many decades. While it’s understandable to stress the need to pay attention to body language cues, they fall far short of conveying 55% of our communication. In our typical everyday business interactions, their importance is largely negligible.
