Myths

Popular communication advice that the research does not support, and what is true instead.

• Myth: 93% of Communication Is Non-VerbalWords carry most of the meaning; tone and face matter most when they clash with the words, especially about feelings.Myth
• Myth: Two Minutes of Power Posing Changes Your HormonesStanding tall may make you feel a little more confident, but it does not change hormones or risk-taking.Myth
• Myth: Mirroring Body Language Always Builds RapportNatural, unconscious matching can help a little; deliberate copying that is noticed can backfire.Myth
• Myth: Eye Movements Show If Someone Is Imagining or RememberingWhere people look while thinking does not show whether they are recalling, imagining or lying.Myth
• Myth: Always Be ClosingIn bigger sales, asking good questions and agreeing clear next steps works better than pushing closing techniques.Myth
• Myth: People Decide About You in 7 SecondsFirst impressions form fast, but they are rough and change with what you say and do next.Myth
• Myth: Never Take No for an AnswerRespect the no, then ask for something smaller or ask when to check back.Myth
• Myth: People Remember 10% of What They Read and 90% of What They DoThere are no reliable percentages for how much people remember by method; it depends on the content and the task.Myth
• Myth: Fake It Till You Make ItConfidence comes from preparation and practice; you can manage nerves, but faked expertise is found out.Myth
• Myth: The 3-Second Rule for Approaching StrangersNo study supports approaching within three seconds; a short planned opener is what helps. The well-supported three seconds is waiting after a question.Myth
• Myth: Left-Brain and Right-Brain CommunicatorsPeople are not left- or right-brained; tailor your message to the person and the situation, not to a brain type.Myth
• Myth: More Choice Always Stops People BuyingToo many options sometimes slows decisions, but the effect is not reliable; offer a few clear options when choices are hard to compare.Mixed evidence
• Myth: Smiling on the Phone Guarantees SalesListeners can often hear a smile, so it can make you sound warmer; there is no proof it raises sales by itself.Mixed evidence
• Myth: Talk 20%, Listen 80%In sales calls, top performers talk a bit under half the time and ask good questions; the 20/80 rule has no source.Myth
• Myth: Liars Avoid Eye ContactEye contact is not a reliable sign of lying; most people catch lies only slightly better than chance.Myth