3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Non-Verbal Communication
3 Ideas in 2 Minutes on Non-Verbal Communication
The Nature of Communication, the 7-38-55 Percent Rule & Sound Advice
I. The Nature of Communication
Austrian-American psychologist Paul Watzlawick on the nature of human communication:
One cannot not communicate: Because every behaviour is a kind of communication, people who are aware of each other are constantly communicating. Any perceivable behaviour, including the absence of action, has the potential to be interpreted by other people as having some meaning.
—Paul Watzlawick, Five Axioms of Communication
II. The 7-38-55 Percent Rule
The 7-38-55 Percent Rule says that 7% of a message is conveyed with words, 38% with the tone of voice and 55% with body language and facial expression.1 Here’s former FBI negotiator Chris Voss on how to use the rule in negotiations:
First, pay very close attention to tone and body language to make sure they match up with the literal meaning of the words. If they don’t align, it’s quite possible that the speaker is lying or at least not convinced.
When someone’s tone of voice or body language does not align with the meaning of the words they say, use labels [It sounds like…, It looks like…] to discover the source of incongruence.
Here’s an example:
You: “So we’re agreed?”
Them: “Yes….”
You: “I heard you say, ‘Yes’, but it seemed like there was hesitation in your voice.”
Them: “Oh, it’s nothing really.”
You: “No, this is important, let’s make sure we get this right.”
Them: “Thanks, I appreciate it.”—Chris Voss, Never Split the Difference
III. Sound Advice
British philosopher Alan Watts on the importance of listening to the sound of a speaker’s voice:
You can be awfully distracted by what a person has to say. And not see what kind of a villain is coming up against you.
—Alan Watts
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Have a great week,
Chris
themindcollection.com
P.S.: Check out my latest post on 21 Memorable Aphorisms About Life: How to Become an Aphorist
Based on a study by Albert Mehrabian of UCLA who wanted to find out on what grounds we dislike each other.