Why Your Words Matter — The Power of Verbal Communication at Work

Do your words really matter—or will your message land the same no matter how you say it? In this episode of Peopling at Work, Kari Musgrove breaks down the power of verbal communication and how the words we choose can make or break trust, clarity, and connection in the workplace.

You’ll learn:

• Why verbal communication is more than just talking
• Common barriers that trip us up (like vagueness, jargon, and emotional overload)
• A real-world example of how to address tricky conversations with care
• Practical strategies to sharpen your word choice, tone, and clarity

Whether you're leading a team, giving feedback, or trying to be heard in meetings, this episode will help you communicate with more intention and impact.

🔊 Let’s get peopling!

Subscribe, share, and leave a review if this episode helped you grow your people skills.

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📢 Website: Reboot Growth - Peopling at Work

https://rebootgrowth.wixsite.com/peoplingwork

Instagram: @peopling_at_work

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574657984709

Ever had someone say “I’m fine” while looking like they just swallowed a lemon? That’s non-verbal communication at work. From side-eyes and slumped shoulders to firm handshakes and that tone, our bodies are talking—beyond the words.

In this kickoff episode of our brand-new communication series, we’re diving deep into:

• What non-verbal communication actually is (hint: it’s not just your face)
  
  
• The Big 5: body language, eye contact, tone of voice, personal space, and touch
  
  
• Common barriers that can scramble the message
  
  
• Why non-verbals are the ultimate power move in interviews, meetings, and even Zoom calls
  
  

We’re also chatting about how to level up your non-verbal game so you’re sending the right message..

So whether you’re a people leader, a team member, or just someone trying not to give off “I hate this meeting” vibes—this episode is for you.

Tune in and learn how to make your non-verbals work with you, not against you.

Correction: For Professional proximity or space, it's more like two feet distant, not one foot.

Let’s get peopling!

Study:

Nonverbal Communication ByAlbert Mehrabian

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781351308724/nonverbal-communication-albert-mehrabian

How Much of Communication Is Nonverbal? The University of Texas Permian Basin

https://online.utpb.edu/about-us/articles/communication/how-much-of-communication-is-nonverbal/#:~:text=The%2055/38/7%20Formula,%2C%20and%207%25%20words%20only.

Videos:

Body language, Gestures, and Facial Expressions

Master Nonverbal Cues: The Secret of the Triple Nod

https://youtube.com/shorts/HDfw46JcDCo?si=Dp4NYqBAhH7nWmVo

Body Language Expert: Stop Using This, It’s Making People Dislike You, So Are These Subtle Mistakes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHUrdELKjDw

How to read people: Decode 7 body language cues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOoCe3An4VE

Never do these 4 negative nonverbal cues

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0l_fk6ongk

Tone:

Tone of Voice in Communication

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hvVjOqk_4o&t=312s

Tone of voice: what you REALLY mean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPQyHXc1ksA

Tone of Voice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b44ZL3L1nfo

Let’s Connect!

📢 Website: Reboot Growth - Peopling at Work

https://rebootgrowth.wixsite.com/peoplingwork

Instagram: @peopling_at_work

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574657984709

Awareness is more than just paying attention—it’s the foundation for all the people skills that help us succeed at work and in life. In this episode of Peopling at Work, we will break down what awareness really means, why it’s essential, and how developing both self-awareness and social awareness can transform the way we communicate and connect with others.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
✅ What awareness is (and what it isn’t)
✅ How lack of awareness can impact workplace relationships
✅ Real-life examples of how awareness (or the lack of it) affects interactions
✅ The difference between self-awareness and social awareness
✅ Practical tips for building awareness to strengthen your people skills

Tune in to discover how small shifts in awareness can lead to big improvements in your workplace interactions. Don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s episode on non-verbal communication!

For more insights on this topic, check out these related episodes:

🎧 How to Be a Better Human – How to tap into your self-awareness—and why it even matters (with Tasha Eurich)

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-tap-into-your-self-awareness-and-why-it-even/id1544098624?i=1000536767254

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5GluklIt0cmGYDbpom1t4b

🎧 A Bit of Optimism – Thinking About Thinking (with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part One)

Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thinking-about-thinking-with-bren%C3%A9-brown-and-adam/id1515385282?i=1000660131623

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nwDfromS0ZNJAtqEqmjQE

🎧 A Bit of Optimism – More Thinking About Thinking (with Brené Brown and Adam Grant: Part Two)

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-thinking-about-thinking-with-bren%C3%A9-brown-and/id1515385282?i=1000660870465

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5i5kKSL0oCwhaD0UahVPQS

Let’s Connect!

📢 Website: Reboot Growth - Peopling at Work

https://rebootgrowth.wixsite.com/peoplingwork