The Messages We Don’t Know We’re Sending
ENERGY WORD: Progress · BOOK: Think Remarkable
Hello,
Every Wednesday I share five things with the GLAS community: something to learn, an energy word, an action, a question for processing and a shout out.
Learn
What Our Behaviour Communicates
We communicate far more than we realise. And sometimes the loudest messages are the ones we never actually say.
There's a familiar statistic suggesting that 93% of communication is non-verbal. It comes from research by psychologist Albert Mehrabian in 1967, but it's widely misunderstood.
His research explored how people interpret feelings and attitudes when words, tone and facial expressions conflict. It was never intended as a universal formula for all communication.
But I think there's a more interesting question.
What are we communicating through our behaviour, even when we don't say anything at all?
When we avoid someone, we communicate something.
When we don't respond, we communicate something.
When we sulk, withdraw, become defensive or refuse to engage, we communicate something.
And equally, when we show up for someone, make time, listen, remember something important or reach out without being asked, we communicate something.
Our actions, and sometimes our inaction, can speak volumes.
The challenge is that what we intend to communicate isn't always what someone else receives.
Silence might mean we need time to think. Someone else might experience it as rejection.
Defensiveness might come from feeling vulnerable. Someone else might experience it as hostility.
Avoidance might be our way of protecting ourselves. Someone else might interpret it as not caring.
And showing up might seem like a small gesture to us, but mean everything to someone else.
We don't always know the story behind someone else's behaviour - and they don't always know ours. That's why awareness matters. Because communication isn't just about the words we choose.
It's also about the choices we make when there are no words at all.
ENERGY
Progress
The word progress comes from the Latin progressus, meaning “a going forward”, from pro (forward) and gradi (to step or walk).
At its heart, progress is about taking a step forward, but progress isn't always about doing more, achieving more or moving faster.
Sometimes progress is recognising something about ourselves that we hadn't noticed before. It can be noticing a pattern or recognising how we respond. Understanding the impact our behaviour might have on someone else. And then choosing to do something differently.
ACTION
Self-reflection
Take a few moments to reflect on how you've shown up for others this week.
Consider not only what you've said, but what you've done — and what you may have avoided doing.
Without judgement, notice where your actions have reflected your intentions and where they might have sent a different message.
PROCESSING
“What have I communicated this week through my actions?”
SHOUT OUT
Endorsers and Supporters
With the launch of Only in a Family Business… this time next week, my Shout Out goes to everyone who has shown up to endorse, encourage and support both me and the book. The list is longer than I ever imagined it could have been.
From those who have generously shared their words and experiences to those who have offered encouragement, made introductions, read early copies, helped me to bring it to life, or simply taken the time to ask how things are going.
Writing a book can be a very personal and sometimes solitary experience. But bringing it into the world has reminded me just how much it matters when people show up for one another.
Your actions have spoken volumes.
Thank you.
THIS WEEK’S GIFT
Think Remarkable
(Guy Kawasaki, Madisun Nuismer)
Free visual synopsis download for the next seven days with the code at checkout:
G3STAGE
LAUNCHING 28TH OCTOBER
Only in a family business…
TRUE STORIES THAT REVEAL THE HUMAN SIDE OF EVERY BUSINESS
In 1903, my family opened a business. In 2009, it closed in my hands. For a long time I didn’t tell those stories. This book is where I finally do.
Sixty short, true stories from inside a family business, for anyone who runs one, works in one or advises one.
“A masterpiece.” – Gino Wickman, author of Traction
Hardback £27.99 · Paperback £16.99 · E-book £9.99
Thanks for reading. Until next Wednesday!
