Which part of communication is least effective according to the percentages given?

In the context of communication effectiveness, verbal communication is often recognized as having a certain level of effectiveness that may not always resonate as strongly as the other forms of communication. According to common data on communication percentages, nonverbal communication typically conveys a significant portion of meaning—much higher than verbal communication alone. This often encompasses gestures, facial expressions, and body language, which can communicate emotions and intentions more profoundly than words.

Verbal communication, while crucial, tends to rely heavily on the content of the message itself. It can be misunderstood or lack the emotional cues that nonverbal forms provide. Paralinguistic elements, including tone, pitch, and pace of speech, contribute additional layers of meaning, enhancing communicative effectiveness.

Visual components, such as charts and images, can also reinforce and clarify messages in ways that spoken or written words alone cannot achieve. As a result, when assessing overall communication effectiveness, verbal communication ranks lower compared to nonverbal, paralinguistic, and visual cues, which together form a more comprehensive understanding of the message being conveyed.