What Percentage Of Non Verbal Communication

Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt like you didn't belong? Maybe it was the body language of the people already there, or the tone of voice used by the host. Whatever it was, it's likely that it was a form of non-verbal communication that gave you that feeling.

Non-verbal communication is all around us, and it's estimated that up to 93% of our communication is non-verbal. That's right, a whopping 93%! This means that the majority of what we convey to others is done through facial expressions, eye contact, posture, and tone of voice, rather than the actual words we use. Think about it, when was the last time you hung up the phone with someone and thought, "they sounded really upset, even though they said everything was fine"?

So, why does it matter?

The thing is, non-verbal cues can totally change the meaning of what we're trying to say. For example, imagine you're on a first date and you're trying to seem interested and engaged, but your body language is screaming "I'd rather be anywhere else!" You might be leaning away, avoiding eye contact, or fidgeting with your hands, all of which can give the opposite impression of what you're trying to convey. It's like your non-verbal communication is having a conversation of its own, and it's not always saying what you want it to say.

Another great example is when you're at work, and your boss asks you to take on a new project. You might say "yes, of course, I'd be happy to," but your tone of voice and facial expression are saying "are you kidding me, I'm already overwhelmed!" Your boss might pick up on these non-verbal cues and think you're not capable of handling the project, even if you are. It's like your non-verbal communication is speaking a different language, and it's not always translating to what you mean.

So, how can we become more aware of our non-verbal communication? One way is to practice self-awareness. Take notice of how you're standing, sitting, or moving your body in different situations. Do you tend to cross your arms when you're feeling defensive, or avoid eye contact when you're shy? Becoming more aware of these non-verbal cues can help you to change them, and to communicate more effectively with others.

It's also important to pay attention to the non-verbal cues of others. Are they leaning in when you're talking, or are they checking their watch? These subtle cues can give you a better idea of how others are feeling, and can help you to navigate social situations more effectively. It's like learning a new language, and once you start to pay attention to these non-verbal cues, you'll be amazed at how much more you can understand about the people around you.

Verbal Me App at William Melendez blog

What can we do about it?

The good news is that non-verbal communication is something we can work on, and improve over time. By practicing mindfulness and self-awareness, we can become more aware of our own non-verbal cues, and learn to use them to communicate more effectively. We can also learn to read the non-verbal cues of others, and use that information to build stronger relationships and communicate more effectively.

So, next time you're in a conversation, take a moment to notice the non-verbal cues of the people around you. Are they smiling and making eye contact, or are they crossing their arms and looking away? By paying attention to these subtle cues, you can gain a better understanding of what's really being communicated, and respond in a way that's more empathetic and understanding. And who knows, you might just find that your relationships and conversations become more authentic and meaningful as a result.

In the end, non-verbal communication is all about being more aware of ourselves, and the people around us. By practicing self-awareness and paying attention to non-verbal cues, we can become better communicators, and build stronger relationships with others. So, go ahead and give it a try – you might be surprised at how much more you can understand, and communicate, without saying a word.