Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is perhaps the most obvious and understood mode of
communication, and it is certainly a powerful tool in your communication toolbox. Put
simply, verbal communication is the sharing of information between two individuals
using words.
Spoken versus Written Communication
While we typically focus on speech while talking about verbal communication, it’s
important to remember that writing is also a form of verbal communication. After all,
writing uses words too!
Imagine for a moment that you’re a college student who is struggling with material in a
class. Rather than simply giving up, you decide that you’re going to ask your instructor
for the guidance you need to make it through the end of the semester. Now, you have a
few choices for using verbal communication to do this. You might choose to call your
instructor, if they’ve provided contact information, or talk to them in person after class or
during office hours. You may take a different approach and send them an email. You
can probably identify your own list of pros and cons for each of these approaches. But
really, what’s the difference between writing and talking in these situations? Let’s look at
four of the major differences between the two:
1. Formal versus Informal: We generally use spoken
communication informally while we use written communication formally.
2. Synchronous versus Asynchronous: Synchronous communication
is communication that takes place in real time, such as a conversation with
a friend. In contrast, asynchronous communication is communication that is
not immediate and occurs over longer periods of time, such as letters,
email, or even text messages.
3. Recorded versus Unrecorded: Written communication is
generally archived and recorded for later retrieval while spoken
communication is generally not recorded.
Benefits of Spoken Communication
Spoken communication can be a conversation, a meeting, or even a speech. Spoken
communication is powerful in that it allows for input from every part of the social
communication model. You encode your thoughts into the spoken word and look to your
audience to decode and take the message in. You can ask for feedback directly to
confirm understanding of your message.
In a world where we do most of our talking by email and text, spoken communication is
a breath of fresh air. Leverage the power of spoken communication to create
relationships—you can establish a rapport and a sense of trust with your audience when
you speak with them. Spoken communication allows you to bond on a more emotional
level with your listeners.
Spoken communication also makes it easier to ensure understanding by addressing
objections and clearing up misunderstandings: you can adjust your message as you
communicate it, based on the feedback you’re getting from your audience. Spoken
communication allows you to walk away from a conversation with a higher degree of
certainty that your message was received.
Verbal communication is a powerful tool, and it’s made even more powerful when paired
with listening and nonverbal communication.
Nonverbal Communication
We’ve already employed a little bit of nonverbal communication with the active listening
skills we’ve previously discussed: nodding, facial expressions, leaning toward the
speaker to show interest—all of those are forms of nonverbal communication. Body
language can reinforce your spoken message or it can contradict it entirely.
There’s a myth that says that when you speak, only 35 percent of your communication
is verbal and 65 percent of it is nonverbal. That’s not entirely true because so much
depends on the context and situation. It is, however, absolutely true that nonverbal
communication can make or break your message.
Here are some types of nonverbal communication and the effects they can have on the
success of your communication:
Facial expressions: Your teenage cousin we referred to at the beginning
of this section might have told you he was happy, but his apathetic facial
expression may have communicated different information. Facial
expressions—happy, sad, angry—help you convey your message. Be
aware of your facial expression when you talk and particularly when you
listen, which is when it’s easy to forget.
