Body Language, and Listening

Write these numbers down 8, 37, and 55. Add them up and you get 100%. These numbers have been broken down to represent Communication.

Unbelievably, only 8% are the words.   Just 8%.  Isn’t crazy when you think about communication.

37% is tone. Think about it. Try it with your pet at home. You can call your pet every negative name under the sun with mean words, but if you say them in a nice way, they’ll come over, wagging their tail and nuzzling up to you!

Lastly, 55%. Unbelievably 55% of communication is body language. I’ve learned this lesson repeatedly through my time as a building principal and as a Men’s Division One basketball official. Body language is so important! What we’re doing to show interest, enthusiasm, and more speaks volumes.

Recently I received a thank you letter from a guest who was on my #ELB podcast. I enjoyed making the podcast with them and they did a great job. I loved what they wrote in the letter. They shared that my body language showed interest. I work hard at that. I have ADD, and my brain can cause me to drift away. I work on staying focused on the speaker and what they are saying. It was really nice that this guest recognized that and even put it in the thank you letter.

Stick that nugget in your pocket for your next conversation. 8, 37, 55!  It’s so important to be an active listener and show great body language with the intent to listen. It means a lot in your interaction with that person to validate them and make them feel wanted and welcome.  Be intentional with your body language and active listening skills.

Keep rolling on your journey, friends, and keep surviving and thriving.