Strong Nonverbal Skills Matter Now More Than Ever In This "New Normal"
Nonverbal communication, especially in virtual meetings, is vital for trust and personal branding.
The Mehrabian Principle, established by Dr. Albert Mehrabian, is a foundational concept in communication theory. It proposes a percentage breakdown of how humans interpret messages, especially when there's a discrepancy between verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Communication Components (7% words, 38% tone, 55% body language): In ambiguous communication scenarios, the actual words we choose contribute only 7% to the overall message's interpretation. The tone or the manner in which those words are conveyed accounts for 38%. The most dominant component is body language, encompassing gestures, facial expressions, and posture, making up 55% of the interpreted message (Mehrabian, 1967).
- Specific Context (Pertains to incongruent or conflicting messages): The Mehrabian Principle is most relevant when there's a discord between the verbal and non-verbal parts of a message. If someone verbally conveys happiness but displays sadness through tone and expression, the principle aids in deciphering the mixed signals (Mehrabian & Ferris, 1967).
- Vocal Importance (Tone often outweighs the actual words spoken): The delivery of a message, particularly its tone, can drastically change its interpretation. A statement can seem sincere or sarcastic, caring or indifferent, purely based on its tone (Mehrabian, 1967).
- Body Language's Role (Non-verbal cues play the largest communication role): Non-verbal signals, like body movements and facial cues, provide profound insights into a person's true feelings or intentions, often revealing more than the spoken word (Mehrabian & Ferris, 1967).
- Not Universal (Misconceptions arise if applied beyond specific scenarios): It's essential to understand that the 7-38-55 breakdown isn't a blanket rule for all communications. It primarily pertains to situations with incongruent messages, and misapplying it universally can lead to misinterpretations (Mehrabian, 1967).
References: Mehrabian, A. (1967). Decoding of inconsistent communications. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 6(1), 109-114. Mehrabian, A., & Ferris, S. R. (1967). Inference of attitudes from nonverbal c
Addition Web links:
- Strong Nonverbal Skills Matter Now More Than Ever In This "New Normal" (forbes.com)
- How to Use the 7-38-55 Rule to Negotiate Effectively - 2023 - MasterClass
- Mehrabian's Communication Theory – BusinessBalls.com
- Mehrabian's Communication Model - Learning to Communicate Clearly (mindtools.com)
- Mehrabian's 7-38-55 Communication Model: It's More Than Words - The World of Work Project
- Mehrabian and nonverbal communication (speakingaboutpresenting.com)
- Albert Mehrabian’s studies in nonverbal communication - Speaking about Presenting
