What the 3 V’s of Communication Reveal About Your Workplace Culture
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It’s not what you say—it’s how you say it.” But in today’s workplace, how you say it is more than a communication tip—it’s a culture signal.
According to Dr. Albert Mehrabian, there are three key components to how people interpret your message:
Verbal – The words you choose
Vocal – The tone, pitch, and pace of your voice
Visual – Your body language and facial expressions
These are known as the 3 V’s of Communication. And they carry more weight than most leaders realize.
In fact, only 7% of a message is conveyed through words alone. The other 93% comes from how those words are delivered—through your voice and body.
So what does that have to do with workplace culture?
Communication Is Culture
Every conversation at work—whether in a boardroom, breakroom, or Zoom room—either builds culture or breaks it.
When your words, tone, and body language are aligned, people trust what you’re saying. But when they’re out of sync, trust erodes and culture weakens. The subconscious message becomes, “I don’t mean what I say.”
This is why leaders who speak with congruency have a massive impact—not just on engagement, but on the emotional tone of the team.
And it’s why communication is a central pillar of my keynote, Breakthrough: Unlock the Potential of Your People.
Aligning the 3 V’s for Culture Change
When your team members communicate clearly, consistently, and congruently, you create a culture that is:
Trustworthy – People believe in what’s being said and who’s saying it
Connected – Teams listen actively and respond empathetically
Creative – There’s space to share ideas, offer feedback, and speak up without fear
That’s not just communication—it’s culture in action.
If you want to improve performance, increase retention, and foster innovation, don’t start with strategy. Start with how your people show up and speak up.
Because that’s where the real culture work begins.
Joshua Seth is a renowned workplace culture keynote speaker and mentalist who’s inspired teams at Fortune 500 companies and global conferences. He helps teams communicate more effectively, connect more deeply, and create breakthrough results. Learn more at joshuaseth.com/keynote-speaker
