Why 87% of Communication Is Non-Verbal and How It Shapes Interactions in TDCJ Environments

Why 87%? The quiet power behind every word

Let me ask you a quick question: when you think about communication, do you picture the words you speak or the body that goes with them? If you’re like many folks in fields where every interaction could affect safety and outcomes, you don’t just hear the message—you feel it in the room. That “feeling” comes from non-verbal cues: the way you stand, the tilt of your head, the steady pace of your voice, the look on your face. In many real-world settings, those signals carry more weight than the words themselves. The widely cited figure—87% of communication being non-verbal—reminds us that messages arrive through a rich blend of sight, sound, and feeling.

What does that actually mean, day to day?

Here’s the thing: you can say all the right words, but if your body language says something different, people will tune you out or misread your intent. Non-verbal cues don’t just supplement speech; they shape interpretation. A calm, open posture can signal confidence and safety; a tense stance or folded arms might communicate resistance or uncertainty even if your words are neutral. In environments that demand clear, precise interactions—like corrections facilities—those signals are part of the message you’re delivering.

The pieces of non-verbal communication you’ll notice

Non-verbal cues come in many forms, and they often work together to paint a full picture. Here are a few that show up most in everyday work life:

• Facial expressions: a genuine smile, a furrowed brow, a puzzled look. These tell others how you feel about what you’re saying, sometimes louder than the sentence itself.

• Posture: an upright stance can convey readiness and control, while slouched shoulders might hint at fatigue or doubt.

• Eye contact: steady, respectful eye contact signals engagement; looking away too often can read as distraction or evasion.

• Gestures: hand movements can clarify a point, but overly animated gestures may feel unsettled in high-stakes conversations.

• Proximity and space: how close you stand to someone, and how you use the space around you, can communicate approachability or authority.

• Voice and rhythm: tone, volume, pacing, and pauses carry emotion and emphasis. A well-timed pause often says more than a rushed sentence does.

In professional settings—especially those with safety and procedure at the core—these cues aren’t decorative. They steer how instructions are received, how teams coordinate, and how trust is built.

From numbers to real moments: what 87% looks like in daily work

Think of a typical shift where you need to convey a plan, give feedback, or coordinate a task. You’ll not only hear what’s being said; you’ll notice how it’s said. If someone speaks plainly but their posture is closed off, others may hesitate to follow through. Conversely, a few well-chosen non-verbal signals can boost clarity and alignment. That’s why people pay attention to more than the literal content of a message.

In practice, the 87% idea nudges you to attend to both channels at once. If you’re delivering information, ask yourself: Do my words align with my body language? If you’re listening, what non-verbal cues am I noticing from the speaker, and what might they be trying to indicate beyond the words?

Reading the room: why perception matters

Why should you care about non-verbal cues in a corrections environment? Because these signals ripple through teamwork, safety, and outcomes. Imagine a brief, loud command given in a rushed moment. If the speaker’s voice cracks or their gaze flickers away, the team may misinterpret the urgency or misread the priority. The same moment, handled with a steady voice, confident posture, and clear eye contact, can keep everyone aligned and reduce chances of error.

Reading cues well also means you’re better at managing your own signals. If you need to diffuse tension, your calm presence can have a calming effect on others. If you’re giving direction, confident delivery helps ensure people understand and follow through. The bottom line: non-verbal awareness is not about showmanship. It’s about making communication more reliable and the work safer.

Simple, practical skills you can develop

You don’t need fancy training to sharpen your non-verbal sense. Here are some achievable habits you can work into daily routines:

• Check your posture: stand tall but relaxed. Feet shoulder-width apart, shoulders squared, but not stiff. A confident stance supports clear speech.

• Mind your face: keep a neutral, attentive expression when you’re listening. It invites others to speak openly and reduces misread signals.

• Use purposeful pauses: a brief pause before answering can show you’re thinking and gives others a moment to process.

• Align your words with your body: if you’re discussing a plan, pair your verbal clarity with steady eye contact and a calm tone.

• Respect personal space: in patrol areas, classrooms, or briefing rooms, give people enough space to feel comfortable. Overly close proximity can feel confrontational; too far can feel distant.

• Listen with your eyes and ears: notes help, but watching facial cues and listening for changes in tone can reveal concerns that words alone won’t express.

• Calibrate for the situation: a hallway exchange is different from a formal briefing. Let the setting guide your non-verbal choices.

Common pitfalls and how to sidestep them

Like anything in life, non-verbal communication has its minefields. Here are a few to watch for, with practical shifts you can make:

• Crossing arms or turning away while someone is speaking: this reads as disinterest or defensiveness. Try an open stance and facing the speaker directly.

• Overly aggressive posture: a rigid stance, a pointed finger, or a loud, booming voice can intimidate. Aim for steady, even delivery and controlled gestures.

• Mixed signals: if your words say one thing but your body says another, people will trust the signals more than the sentence. Make sure they line up.

• Slips under pressure: in tense moments, nerves show up in micro-expressions or a quick breath that comes out too fast. Slow your pace, breathe evenly, and reset your posture.

These aren’t rules carved in stone. They’re nudges toward clearer, safer communication. The goal is to reduce ambiguity and help everyone read the room more accurately.

Exercises to heighten awareness (without turning this into a drill sergeant moment)

If you want to get better without turning every interaction into a performance, try these light-weight practices:

• Observe and reflect: for one week, note your non-verbal cues in a simple journal after conversations. What felt effective? What caused friction?

• Mirror a bit, don’t imitate: in conversations, mirror appropriate cues (nodding, eye contact, pace of speech) to show you’re engaged, but avoid copying awkward habits.

• Get a quick read on others: during a short briefing, notice facial expressions and body language. If you sense confusion, pause and invite clarification.

• Record, then review (careful with privacy): if allowed, record a short exchange to notice how your stance and voice come across. Learn from it, then apply changes in the next chat.

• Seek feedback: ask a trusted coworker to point out cues you might miss—like if you interrupt or rush a topic.

Core competencies in action

Non-verbal fluency ties neatly to the core competencies many teams rely on—especially in structured environments where clarity and trust matter. Communication, of course, thrives when signals line up with speech. Teamwork benefits when members show openness, respect, and attentiveness in how they stand, speak, and listen. And conflict resolution becomes more effective when you’re not adding tension with conflicting cues you don’t mean to send.

A few human touches that make a big impact

Beyond the mechanics, there’s a warmth in genuine, human interaction. People respond to sincerity. A brief smile at the right moment, a steady voice that rides with the pace of a conversation, a respectful distance that makes space for others—these micro-moments accumulate. They create an environment where people feel seen, heard, and safe to contribute.

Why this matters for the work you do

In roles that demand vigilance, clear instruction, and coordinated action, non-verbal signals aren’t a luxury. They’re a practical tool. They help you express authority without shouting. They help others read the situation accurately. They help teams function as a unit rather than as a group of individuals who happen to be in the same room.

Let me wrap this up with a simple takeaway: what you say is important, but how you say it matters just as much. If you can align your words with calm, confident body language, you improve not just communication, but outcomes. You don’t need to become a performer; you need to become a listener and a presenter who carries a steady, coherent presence.

A final thought to carry forward

The figures people throw around about non-verbal communication are not a dare to overthink every gesture. They’re a reminder to pause, observe, and respond with intention. In any setting that calls for discipline, care, and accountability, that intention can be the difference between a message that lands and one that slips through.

If you’re curious to explore this further, notice how different interactions feel when your non-verbal signals are aligned with your words. You’ll likely notice more clarity, less back-and-forth, and a sense of momentum that makes everyday tasks feel smoother. And that, in the end, is what good communication is really about: making the room feel safe, understood, and ready to move forward together.