The Babble Hypothesis (MacLaren et al., 2020) suggests that the quantity of speaking time is a significant driver of leadership emergence within group dynamics. In this study, we examine whether this relationship holds across different communication mediums, presenting evidence of contrasting patterns. Specifically, we analyze two datasets: (1) the transcript of the fictional workplace drama The Office, which provides a simulated but relatable model of organizational interactions, and (2) the Enron Corpus, consisting of over 500,000 emails exchanged among real corporate employees. In spoken communication in Study 1, our findings reaffirm that individuals in high-power positions engage in more speaking time compared to their lower-power counterparts, consistent with the Babble Hypothesis. However, in written communication, particularly email exchanges, in Study 2, we observe a reversal of this dynamic. High-power individuals, including CEOs, compose shorter emails than employees in lower-power positions. This suggests that the communication medium significantly influences how power is expressed and perceived. These results challenge the universality of the Babble Hypothesis, demonstrating that the relationship between power and communication quantity can shift depending on the medium of interaction. This study contributes to understanding how power dynamics manifest differently in speech and digital correspondence, offering implications for leadership studies, organizational behavior, and the evolving role of communication in the workplace.
