Have you ever been told you come off as intimidating or aggressive at work but can’t figure out why? Your paraverbal communication may be to blame.
Paraverbal communication is often an overlooked form of communication that speaks volumes when relaying a message. But what really is paraverbal communication, and how can it help or hinder you at work?
In this article, we will explore the topic of paraverbal communication and ways you can become more aware of it to ensure your communication is received in the way you attend. Let’s jump in.
Paraverbal communication is the impression we omit through our spoken communication's tone, pitch, and cadence. Put simply, it isn’t the words you say, but it is the message you portray and how you say it.
.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=What%20is%20meant%20by%20paraverbal%20communication%20Niagara%20Institute%20(1).png)
Here is an example of paraverbal communication to illustrate what it is. Think of a time you asked a child who was visibly upset a question. After you ask your question, they reply quickly, loudly, and with a snippy tone, “YES!” The word yes alone didn’t portray their feelings; it was how it was said that spoke volumes. This is paraverbal communication.
Paraverbal communication takes on three forms: tone, pitch, and cadence. They are defined as:
When combined, these three components of paraverbal communication make up how someone perceives the message we are delivering.
Face-to-face communication involves three parts that make up the message someone receives.
However, between the three forms, the emphasis or weighting the received puts into a message is unequal. The components of face-to-face communication are 55% non-verbal, 38% paraverbal, and only 7% verbal. Therefore, 93% of your message is received through your body language and how you say it.
The tone of our voice, the pace at which we speak, and the volume of our voice can be misinterpreted based on our communication style. Naturally, everyone has a communication style they gravitate towards, which will influence their paraverbal communication, whether we know it or not. For example, in our study of workplace communication, 10.4% of respondents viewed their communication as loud, over-expressive, and intense, which would have their paraverbal communication received as intense or aggressive, even if that wasn’t their intended message.
In addition to your communication style, regional or culturally influenced speech can be misinterpreted for its tone, cadence, and volume.
The way in which we communicate our words can convey entirely different messages depending on the tone, pitch, cadence, and emphasis we use on certain words.
An example is a colleague following up to see when you will be done with your portion of a team task. The way you communicate the same message can be perceived very differently.
Depending on our emphasis on certain words, how rapid or high-pitched our voice is, and how abruptly we answer, the same answer can come across very differently to our colleague. How we respond has the opportunity to either strengthen or harm relationships, thus making it incredibly important to be aware of our paraverbal communication in the workplace.
Becoming more aware of your paraverbal communication, which is tone, pitch, volume, and rhythm, can significantly enhance your communication skills and ensure your message is received as intended. Here are a few places to start.
Do you know which style of communication you naturally gravitate towards? Taking a quick quiz and reading up on your preferred communication style can help you become more self-aware of your paraverbal communication tendencies. Luckily we’ve created a free communication style quiz and a corresponding article on the different communication styles in the workplace.
Take some time to reflect and think about your speaking habits. Think about the following questions:
It may be helpful to record yourself in different situations and listen back to them to analyze your paraverbal communication and reflect on the cues you hear.
Get a glimpse into how others perceive your communication by asking your employees, peers, leaders, and mentors to provide feedback on your paraverbal communication. They can share their observations and opinions to help you identify communication patterns and ways to improve.
A professional coach will help you uncover how others perceive your communication in the workplace and help you overcome any paraverbal cues that may be holding you back. They can fast-track your progress, provide you with expert guidance, and offer a supportive environment for growth. They can help you refine your paraverbal communication skills and ultimately improve the overall effectiveness of your communication.
Attending a program like Niagara Institute’s best-selling communication program, Speaking as a Leader, can help you develop the communication skills you need to inspire every time you speak and ensure your paraverbal cues come across as you want them perceived. Through the combination of live sessions, group work with peers, and one-on-one coaching, you’ll build your confidence as you talk through real challenges and share best practices with other ambitious professionals like yourself.
4 min read
Michelle Bennett : Mar 16, 2021 5:15:00 AM
We’ve always known that face-to-face communication is the most effective way to inspire action. This is backed by research, like this HBR article...
5 min read
Michelle Bennett : Oct 31, 2022 5:00:00 AM
How much time do you spend every single day at work communicating with others? For a lot of people, the answer is the majority of their day. Between...
10 min read
Michelle Bennett : Jun 1, 2023 5:00:00 AM
Poor communication is something that, unfortunately, thousands, if not millions, of people have to deal with every day when they walk (or log) into...
Michelle Bennett