Communication: Actions Speaker Louder

When it comes to confidence and making a lasting impression, it is clear that actions speak louder than just words. Words make up just 7% of the way we communicate. How you communicate is made up of:

• your words (key words and phrases);
• your voice (tone, tempo, timbre and volume); and
• your body language (posture, action, gestures eye contact etc).

Therefore it is important to remove this so you can deliver your message and communicate with extra impact.

Body Language

First impressions can be an important element of how you communicate yourself and how you are perceived. Think about what you notice in others when you first meet them, and then reflect on your own equivalent behaviours. What are you doing (or not doing) that may be affecting other people’s perception of you before you even open your mouth.

For example, we create a positive impression by smiling at them. Done correctly this makes you seem friendly and approachable. So practice that smile.

Remember your appearance is a tool, use it to your advantage. For example, if you are trying to come across as more confident. You might want to think about how you can take up more space – as confidence is associated with being bigger.

Build Rapport

Another important step in helping you communicate is to build rapport with others. Rapport is defined as “a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well.”

A simple trick for building report is to use your body language to match or mirror the other person. Another example, when using your voice is to use their words or similar words. Alternatively, when using written words another example is using the same sign off as them in your emails.

Create an impact using your voice

Finally, you can use your voice to make an impact. Just remember the 5 Ps:

• Pace
• Power
• Pitch
• Pause
• emPhasis.