Have you heard of the 7:38:55% Rule? If you do a search of Mehrabian or a question relating to communication, you’re likely to find this ‘rule’. It will state that these figures relate to the relative importance of the components of any message we communicate and receive:
7% relates to the importance of the words we use
38% refers to our tone of voice (pitch, pace, pause, volume, emphasis, inflection)
55% refers to the importance of body language and facial expression.
Interesting but not true. This is not what the original research by Albert Mehrabian concluded.
The oft-quoted figure that words only account for 7% of the message is a distortion; it doesn’t relate to any type of communication. It is context-specific. These figures mainly relate to a situation where we are forming an opinion of someone, or what they’re saying. So, the words could still be the most important part of the message. The body language and tone of voice are what we mainly use to assess whether we like or believe the person delivering the message.
The other situation where non-verbal communication seems to have priority is where there is a conflict between the words and non-verbal communication. If communication lacks congruence, we are more likely to disbelieve the words. This is not the same as saying ‘in any communication’. Often, in research, the context is everything!
When we express ourselves, we’re giving voice to what’s in our hearts and minds. These thoughts and feelings will colour our tone, the quality of our voice. And because, like all animals, we communicate with our bodies, we will express ourselves physically too.
Your words matter, and once spoken, you can’t take them back. So, take care of what comes out of your mouth. To quote the ancient psalm of David:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
I hope you can apply that to any audience to have greater success in your communication.
