If you are exposed to the world of mainstream soft skills training, you have heard of"7-38-55% " .Some call it V-V-V (visual, vocal and verbal).You have been toldthat when you converse face to face, your words matter just 7%, your tonality 38% & your body language 55%. This supposedly Comes from two studies by Professor Albert Mehrabian of the UCLA, one in the early nineteen fifties while the other ended in 1967. The Problem:

1. Professor MEHRABIAN NEVER SAID SO in those two studies or anywhere else.
2. Such statements are entirely incorrect, factually. Let me show you how so.

Apologies - I am about to import a couple of non-English words into my explanation. Situation: A gentleman who was contented with his income is no longer so. He is telling his friend (of a similar income bracket) that as he has just become a Father, he needs a higher income now.What is his verbiage likely to be?  If he makes upto INR 8000/- a month, (2018-2019 price levels)English: ' I need a better income'Hindi: '... zyada kamai ki zaroorat hai'Bangla: ' ..... rojkar dorkar '.If he makes INR 20,000/- to 25,000/- a month, (2018-2019 price levels)English: ' I need a salary hike'Hindi: ' .... tankha/tankhe ....'Bangla: '... mainay ...'If he makes approximately INR 55,000/- a month, (2018-2019 price levels)English : ' I need ....... compensation'. I was speaking to the daughter of a couple who were both doctors with chambers in the posh neighbourhoods of South Delhi.Her name was Neha and she was sharing her desire for a career of teaching French.' My parents feel the returns are not good enough'.I have not yet been blest with tons of conversations with family members of wealthy industrialists.But in the few that I have had, I noticed the word 'revenues'. 

I will skip sharing an experiment I successfully did to help someone grow their income rapidly, but for now -

Your choice of words partly determines your future.

It matters way more than 7%.

 Where does that leave me with Mr Mehrabian and his "7-38-55% rule"?Ans: Where I was - that he was right ; that he is mistaught! Professor Mehrabian reckoned thatWHEN THESE 3 COMPONENTS - the words, the tone and the body ARE INCONSISTENT, the 7-38-55 pie chart applies. That is all the poor soul said. How is this Important?Here's how!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C1pVWsCuwI Watched the video? Good!SoCONGRUENCY of the 3 components –  the visual, [body language], the vocal [tonality] and the verbal [words] --is what your soft skills trainer is supposed to advocate and train you on.