Congruence Between Verbal and Nonverbal Messages

Is 93% of communication really non-verbal? That’s what you’ve probably heard. But it’s time we looked beyond the surface. Albert Mehrabian’s 55-38-7 rule is one of the most misunderstood models in communication. Here are a few myths we need to bust 1) Only 7% of communication is through words Truth: Words matter—a lot. Mehrabian’s research applied only when verbal and non-verbal messages were in conflict. Words carry meaning. Especially in technical, written, or logical communication. 2) Body language speaks louder than anything else Not always. Non-verbal cues are important, yes—but they don’t override your words unless there’s a mismatch. In real conversations, they complement each other. 3) Tone of voice decides everything It plays a role. But context, experience, and clarity of thought matter just as much. A warm tone can’t fix a vague or poorly structured message. 4) This rule applies to all communication No. Mehrabian’s research was specific—about feelings and attitudes, not everyday conversations or presentations. The real lesson: - Communication is multi-dimensional - Words, tone, and body language work together - Context is king I often explore this in my workshops on High Impact Presentations and Communication. The ‘real’ magic lies in how we align what we say, how we say it, and how we show up while saying it. Have you come across any communication myths lately that made you pause? Let’s decode the truth behind what really makes communication effective. #communicationtips #presentationtraining #publicspeaking #manishkhanolkar

Why do attorneys engage me to prepare witnesses for trials? Research has shown that jurors are influenced by both verbal and nonverbal messaging. As an award-winning writer and body language expert, I consult on both. Even if jurors are not trained in reading people, they will have a gut-level feeling on whether they believe or doubt someone’s testimony. When I was on a true crime podcast hosted by Joel Waldman this week, we looked at the recent court hearing regarding evidence in Donna Adelson’s upcoming murder trial. The witness in the video clip is an investigator with the State Attorney’s Office. Watch how his nonverbals distract from his testimony: ·      Fingers playing with his beard  ·      Tongue quickly poking between the lips ·      Mouth and jaw shifting from side to side These are stress signals, but they do NOT mean he was being deceptive. Only that he was uncomfortable. Keep in mind he was being questioned by the prosecutor, who is on the same side. It's surprising he showed stress because he probably knew the questions in advance. Maybe he just didn’t feel comfortable on the stand or he finds testifying tedious. The risk is that his nonverbals would be misinterpreted. That’s where prep with a communications expert can make a visible difference. I’ve worked with witnesses on how to keep their testimony accurate, clear and concise, while still being authentic. As a result, they look comfortable and confident because they genuinely feel that way. How has someone’s nonverbals influenced your impression of them? 

Have you ever sent an email or had a conversation that seemed crystal clear to you, only to discover it was misunderstood? Effective communication isn’t just about what’s said—it’s about how it’s heard. The "fine print matters" element is real, especially in today’s diverse workplaces where words can carry different meanings based on culture, experience, or context. A manager says, “We need this done ASAP.” To some, that’s a call to drop everything and focus on the task immediately. To others, it means prioritize it within the day. Misalignment happens when both assume the other understands the same urgency. Or consider a phrase like, “Let’s table this.” For some, it means to pause the discussion for now. For others, it signals prioritizing it for the next meeting. The differences in interpretation can lead to frustration, delays, or even conflict. Why does this happen? Because communication isn’t just words—it’s context, tone, timing, and audience. And in a multicultural environment, details like idioms, slang, or even common phrases can be interpreted differently. Tips for Communication that Lands as Intended To bridge the gap between what you say and how it’s received, here are four actionable tips inspired by insights from world-renowned communicator Simon Sinek (“Start with Why”) and other leadership experts: *Start With Clarity Be specific. Replace vague phrases like “as soon as possible” with concrete deadlines like “by 3 PM tomorrow.” Specificity eliminates guesswork. *Consider the Audience Think about the cultural or personal context of your listeners. For instance, idioms like “hit the ground running” might confuse someone whose first language isn’t English. Simplify where needed and avoid assumptions. *Ask for Confirmation Don’t assume you’ve been understood. Ask follow-up questions like, “Does that make sense to you?” or “How would you approach this?” Paraphrasing is a powerful tool to confirm alignment. *Be Aware of Non-Verbal Cues In face-to-face or virtual meetings, your tone, facial expressions, and body language can reinforce—or contradict—your words. A calm, open demeanor ensures your message feels collaborative, not confrontational. So, the next time you’re about to speak, meet, write, or even hit “send” on that email, pause. Ask yourself: How will this be received? Be the person who communicates with care, clarity, and intention. The world—and your colleagues—will thank you. Visual Credit: NeuronVisuals

The Message You Send Goes Beyond Words When it comes to communication, what you say matters—but how you say it can make or break your message. You might be sharing an exciting idea, but if your voice is monotone and your body language is stiff, your audience won’t believe it. If you step backward while saying you’re confident in a plan, it sends the opposite signal. These mixed messages create incongruence, which leads to doubt and mistrust. The key to influence is alignment—your words, tone, and body language must work together to reinforce your message. Because people don’t just listen, they watch. Next time you speak, ask yourself: Does my delivery match my message? Thank you Transcend Company for having me out. You can find them here: https://lnkd.in/gjpXwqqr #Communication #Influence #BodyLanguage #PublicSpeaking #Leadership #NonverbalCommunication

Don’t Just Say It—Show It: The Truth About Mastering the Mehrabian Rule (aka 55/38/7) When your words, tone, and body language don’t match, people won’t believe what you say—they’ll believe what you show. Here’s how to lead with presence, not just talk. WHAT: You’ve heard it: “93% of communication is nonverbal.” That stat comes from Dr. Albert Mehrabian, a UCLA psychologist whose research focused on inconsistent emotional messages—when words say one thing, but tone and body say another. In those moments, people rely 55% on body language, 38% on tone, and just 7% on words. Misconception: this is not a one-size-fits-all to all communication. And it doesn’t mean words don’t matter. It means when there’s a mismatch, people believe what they see and hear over what you say. Examples: 🗣️“I’m fine” with a clenched jaw 🗣️“Great job” in a sarcastic tone 🗣️“I care” while scrolling your phone SO WHAT: Mixed messages erode trust and clarity. • Harvard Business Review shows emotionally congruent leaders build stronger influence. • Journal of Nonverbal Behavior research confirms mismatched cues create doubt. • Neuroscience reveals our brain decodes tone and facial cues before words (Lieberman et al., 2007). NOW WHAT: Here’s how to apply the Mehrabian Rule effectively. When we want to establish and maintain rapport and trust. 1️⃣ Move with intention: Your posture, gestures, and facial expressions set the tone before you speak. Stand tall when delivering feedback. Nod when listening. Smile when celebrating. Eye contact shows you’re engaged and confident. 2️⃣ Speak with tone that matches the moment: Use your voice to reinforce the emotional message. Lower your tone and slow your pace in moments of stress to convey calm. Raise your energy when rallying your team or sharing a win. Avoid sarcasm or monotone delivery—it confuses and disconnects. 3️⃣ Practice full alignment: Authenticity builds trust. Before tough conversations or big presentations, check in with yourself: do you believe what you’re about to say? If not, reframe it until your body, tone, and words all agree. People know when you’re just going through the motions. When your message looks, sounds, and feels real—people are more likely to believe and trust you. Want to learn more? Be sure to follow and connect with me. Keep training your brain to lead, grow and win from within. See you in the arena. #mentalfitness #riseup #designtoperform #forgetolead #leaderdevelopment

When there's dissonance between your words and your body language, the impact of your message can be severely compromised. Body language plays a critical role in communication, often conveying more than words alone. When addressing the media, especially during a crisis, what you say and how you say it are equally important. Here’s a detailed look at what can go wrong when there is a mismatch between verbal and non-verbal communication: Recently, Rameshwaram Cafe in Telangana, a southern state of India faced a significant setback when the state's food safety authorities conducted a surprise inspection at their Hyderabad branch. The authorities found pulses, curd, and liters of milk past its expiry date. This alarming discovery raised concerns about the cafe's adherence to food safety standards. In response, the Cafe’s co-founder, Raghavendra Rao, took to X. In a video that has since gone viral, Rao acknowledged the oversight and offered what he called "a sincere apology." However, many netizens felt his body language did not match his words. Instead of conveying remorse and commitment to rectify the issue, his demeanor appeared defensive and even threatening. When verbal and non-verbal messages do not align, people tend to trust the non-verbal cues more. This is because body language is often seen as a more genuine expression of feelings and intentions. So next time you send your spokesperson to address the audience, make sure he not only knows what to say, but also how to say it. ======== Watch the video without audio and then with the audio... Then let me know how you feel about it. ================ #Mediatraining #crisiscommunication #crisismanagement #TheMediaCoach