Word Of the Week #8: Body Language
April 20, 2009 by Susan Clarke
Body Language: every part of the communication act that is not the actual spoken word.
Do you know that your body language is five times more powerful than your verbal message and makes up 55% of the messages that you communicate? It includes your facial expression and eyes, your body movement, gestures and posture.
Your vocal pitch, tone, volume and intensity make up 38% of your communication. The words you speak are only 7% of your communication. You (the whole you) make up the entire message you are trying to get across! That message determines whether or not you’ll get what you are expecting/asking for/desiring out of life!
This week spend more time and awareness on your body language/communicating yourself to others. How is your physical appearance and your energy level? Are you animated and how expressive are your eyes? And last but not least, do you have a sense of humor? Notice if you are connecting differently with the people around you!
Reader Responses
“Yes, I feel that I have a wonderful sense of humor, that’s what keeps most of us going……….Here is a thought back to you…
DON’T EXPECT TO BE SPOON-FED — God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.” — John Beck…
“One of my favorite things to do when I watch Survivor is watch everyone’s facial expressions when they are talking to each other. You can always tell so much about them.
Vocal, pitch, tone, volume and intensity are very, very important when speaking on the telephone, and can be every bit as important (if not more) than what you speak. My daughter often accuses me of sounding “mad,” when I speak to her or to her daughter; when I am simply just in a hurry or distracted. I’ve found that if I make it a point to smile while talking on the telephone or when I’m talking to someone (whether I want to or not), the message is received much more positively. — Terry L. Green
“Wonderful, and thank you! I am sharing them with the admins here at our regional Fannie Mae office and a few others who I feel will appreciate them (my boss and the HR folks).” — Barbara E. Wertz