It’s not what you say…
Our modern human society places a primary focus on language and language use in the practice of communication. Meaning humans assign massive value to verbal and written exchanges. That’s fine and good but, are you ready for it? At Anna Michele Communications, we place the highest value on the things that aren’t said or written. That’s where our communication work begins.
The study of body language is called kinesics. The term was created by Dr. Albert MehrabianIn. In the kinesics research realm, most experts agree that roughly 50% of how we speak is through body language, 30% is tone, and 20% is verbal. Is it just me, or did the tired cliche, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it,” just become super relevant again?
I was relieved to learn this. Especially considering early in my first career as a broadcast journalist + morning news anchor, I was professionally advised to sit on my hands when broadcasting my weekday morning and noon shows. I remember thinking, “How are people going to understand me”? I made an executive decision not to take that advice. And guess what, it all magically worked out. (AMC disclaimer: *If we haven’t met, I’m what certain people call, “passionate.”)
Last week, I explained why consciousness is the first educational element in the AMC 3 C’s Mindful Communication Model™; Consciousness, Communication, Community. In this newsletter, I’m explaining phase two and why AMC must go below the surface to deeply explore the philosophies and practices of this complex thing we place massive value on and vaguely identify as communication.
Seventy percent, yes 70% of a company’s mistakes are due to “poor communication,” according to management consultant, Gartner. But what does that mean? It’s too vague. AMC studies “poor communication” and the numerous problems, redundancies, and inefficiencies that equate to millions of dollars in losses in industry.
As a starting point, research defines poor communication as follows:
Emotional barriers and taboos
Heavy use of jargon
Physical barriers to non-verbal communications
Expectations and prejudices
Cultural/political differences
Information overload (technology/ AI technology) in a digitally obsessed escape-based society
Generational communication gaps
We want to host interactive learning lab experiences with teams leaders like you. We’re partnering with companies that have people-first missions, to carry out the… AMC Vision:
-Internationally reinvigorate the trustworthy exchange, by rewriting the narrative about communication as a “soft skill.”-
This summer we’re going on tour to launch the AMC 3 C’s Mindful Communication Model™. This innovative, research-based model changes the professional development landscape. Our work normalizes consciousness in professional society and encourages mindfulness at work to sustain effective communication in all business communities.
You know and I know it’s time for a change. Send me an email today so we can set a date and start planning a meaningful experience for your colleagues and teams. Together, let’s create and foster empathetic, resilient, and innovative professional communities, Mindfully Speaking.
I look forward to our good work together. Sending gratitude & presence to you.
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Mindfully Speaking,
Anna Michele Bulszewicz
Founder, Anna Michele Communications