It is incorrect to think that 90% of our communication is non-verbal; words are essential and truly matter, especially in professional contexts.

noli's read

This advice is based on a documented questioning of Albert Mehrabian’s famous '7-38-55 rule' (1967). Research in psychology confirms that this rule is widely overinterpreted: the initial study focused exclusively on the perception of contradictory emotions (a positive word spoken with a negative tone) rather than global communication. Meta-analyses in linguistics and social psychology show that the relative weight of words, tone, and body language varies enormously depending on context, intent, and culture. The idea that words are crucial for conveying complex or professional information is therefore scientifically sound. Conversely, the 90% figure often cited in popular culture has never been validated by a rigorous empirical study. The approach here is therefore highly accurate in nuancedly addressing a persistent myth.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.