The Power of Nonverbal Communication: Leveraging Rule 7% 38% 55% Rule in PR

Thank you for landing on my BLOG PAGE.

I'm passionate about sharing knowledge with you, and your feedback has been a constant source of encouragement. As a firm believer that 'Everything I do or say is PR,' I'm driven to continuously create and share valuable content. I'm excited to share my 177th blog – ‘The Power of Nonverbal Communication: Leveraging Rule 7% 38% 55% Rule in PR.’

Friends, being PR professionals, we understand the importance of effective oral communication in conveying our message and building relationships with our audience. However, many of us focus solely on the words we use, neglecting the significant impact of nonverbal cues on our communication. This is where the Rule 7% 38% 55% comes in; a game-changing concept introduced by Prof. Albert Mehrabian of UC Berkeley in the year 1967.

The Breakdown: 7% (Verbal), 38% (Vocal), 55% (Nonverbal):

The rule suggests that in oral, face-to-face communication:
7% of meaning is conveyed through words (verbal).
38% is conveyed through tone of voice (vocal).
55% is conveyed through body language (nonverbal).
This breakdown highlights the significance of nonverbal communication in conveying our message. While our words are important, they account for only a small fraction of the overall meaning.

Impact of Nonverbal Communication:

Nonverbal cues, such as body language, facial expressions, and posture, can reveal more about our true feelings and intentions than our words. When our verbal and nonverbal cues align, our message is more likely to be understood and believed. On the other hand, inconsistencies between our words and body language can lead to confusion and misinterpretations.

Great Leaders Who Effectively Used Rule 7% 38% 55%

Mahatma Gandhi

Bapu was known for his simple yet powerful nonverbal cues. His gentle tone, calm demeanor, and symbolic clothing helped to convey his message of nonviolent resistance.

Nelson Mandela

The former President of South Africa was known for his powerful speeches, but it was his nonverbal cues that truly conveyed his message. His warm smile, gentle tone, and open posture helped to build trust and credibility with his audience.

Indira Gandhi

The first and only woman Prime Minister of India, was indeed a great leader who effectively used this principle. During her speeches, words (7%) conveyed strong messages of nationalism, socialism, and empowerment. Her vocal tone (38%) was firm, yet emotive, resonating with her audience. However, it was her nonverbal communication (55%) that truly set her apart. Her confident body language, piercing gaze, and gentle smile could calm or inspire, as the situation demanded. Indira ji’s effective use of Rule 7% 38% 55% helped her connect with the masses, build trust, and inspire loyalty. She remains an iconic example of a leader who harnessed the power of communication to drive change and leave a lasting legacy.

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

The former Prime Minister of India, was renowned for his exceptional oral communication skills. Verbally (7%), Vajpayee ji was known for his eloquent speeches, which were often filled with poetic flair. His words were carefully chosen, conveying complex ideas in a simple yet powerful manner. Vocally (38%), Vajpayee ji's tone and pitch added depth to his messages. His voice was soothing, yet authoritative, making his speeches engaging and persuasive. Visually (55%), Vajpayee ji's body language and facial expressions complemented his words, conveying confidence and sincerity. His presence was commanding, yet humble, earning him respect from his audience. Overall, Vajpayee ji's exceptional oral communication skills played a significant role in his success as a leader, enabling him to inspire and motivate millions of people across India.

Barack Obama

The 44th President of the United States was a master of nonverbal communication. His confident stride, firm handshake, and direct eye contact helped to convey his message of hope and change.

Steve Jobs

The co-founder of Apple was known for his captivating presentations, which were made possible by his effective use of nonverbal cues. His confident posture, enthusiastic tone, and deliberate gestures helped to convey his passion for innovation.

Narendra Modi

Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi ji is a great example of a leader who effectively uses Rule 7% 38% 55% to convey his message. His body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions all work together to convey confidence, enthusiasm, and sincerity. For instance, his firm handshake, direct eye contact, radiant smile and warm hug help establish instant connection with his audience. When delivering speeches, he varies his tone to add emphasis and convey emotions, making his message more relatable and impactful.

Applying the Rule 7% 38% 55% in PR ~ How to leverage this rule in our PR efforts?

1. Be mindful of your body language: Make sure your posture, facial expressions, and gestures are open and engaging.

2. Use tone of voice to convey emotion: Vary your tone to add emphasis and convey enthusiasm, empathy, or authority.

3. Align your words and nonverbal cues: Ensure that your verbal and nonverbal messages are consistent to avoid confusion and build trust.

4. Pay attention to your audience's nonverbal cues: Notice their body language and adjust your communication style accordingly.

To conclude; Rule 7% 38% 55% introduced by Prof. Albert Mehrabian of UC Berkeley in the year 1967, is a powerful reminder of the importance of nonverbal communication in PR. The rule has proven to be a timeless principle in effective oral communication. By being mindful of our body language, tone of voice, and verbal messages, we can convey our message more effectively, build trust with our audience, and ultimately achieve our PR goals. Friends, as we've seen from the examples of great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, and Narendra Modi, leveraging nonverbal cues can make all the difference in conveying a message and building trust with the audience. By applying the Rule 7% 38% 55% in our PR efforts, we can create a more engaging, persuasive, and memorable experience for our audience. Remember, it's not just what we say, but how we say it and how we present ourselves that truly matters. Cheers.

Thanks for reading the blog.

#####