The 90% Rule: Why Tone and Body Language Win the Lesson Joaquin Alvarez Amuchástegui

How much of your message is actually getting through to your students? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas sits down with international ski instructor Joaquin Alvarez Amuchastegui to discuss his recent 32 Degrees article, "Enhancing Our Connections with Empathy." Joaquin has taught all over the globe—from the steep faces of Switzerland to the firm slopes of the East Coast—and he’s discovered that technical knowledge is only 10% of the battle. Joaquin breaks down the "90% Rule," explaining why your tone of voice and body language are the primary tools for building trust, especially when conditions get "sketchy." We dive into the concept of "Dimming the Spotlight" to let student learning take center stage, the importance of a "Silent Feedback Loop," and how teaching in multiple languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese) can actually make you a clearer, more empathetic communicator. Whether you are prepping for your Level III or teaching your first beginner lesson of the season, this conversation will help you match your student’s frequency and create a more effective learning environment. Read the full article in the Winter issue of 32 Degrees magazine. 00:00 – Intro: Meeting Joaquin Alvarez Amuchastegui 02:50 – Career Background: From Buenos Aires to Aspen and Switzerland 04:15 – The 90% Rule: Why 10% of Communication is Verbal 05:45 – Managing "Sketchy" Situations: Safety, Nerves, and Body Language 07:30 – The Power of Options: Having an Exit Route in Your Lesson 09:00 – Tone of Voice: Using Emotion as a Tool 10:45 – Teaching Without Technical Words: Lessons from Multilingual Instructors 12:50 – Taking Cues: Why Body Language is the Ultimate MovementAnalysis 14:40 – Finding the "Beginner Mind": Empathy through Shared Struggle 16:30 – Dimming the Spotlight: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning 19:20 – Ask vs. Tell: Using Curiosity to Overcome Frustration 21:45 – Empathy in Assessments: A Lesson from Kevin Jordan 23:45 – The Silent Feedback Loop: Matching Your Student’s Frequency 25:30 – Year-Round Growth: Working on Communication Skills Every Day 27:30 – Final Thoughts and Wrap-up