What do you communicate?

From our Motiv8ing Ideas Archive

"Words may show a man's wit
but actions his meaning."
Benjamin Franklin

Albert Mehrabian, and other experts in the field of interpersonal communication, confirm that the impact of what we communicate to other people (in face-to-face situations) is just 7% in the words, 38% in the tone, and 55% in the non-verbal cues we give.

Of course the words and language we use are important, however this month let's be conscious about what we are conveying by the tone of our voice and by our 'body language'...especially at the start and end of conversations.
A friendly tone and open body language will get the dialogue off to the best possible start.
Active listening body language helps maintain a good relationship throughout the conversation. (Remember "to list" means 'to lean'...and "listless" implies disinterest.)
A positive tone and affirmative body language bring the dialogue to a constructive conclusion.

Being conscious of our tone of voice, and of the body language we use, really helps in noticing, then eliminating, most of the barriers to effective interpersonal communication.

"I am my message"
Gandhi

"The axe forgets but the cut log does not."
African (Shona) proverb