The Lost Art of Face-to-Face Communication and Why It’s Still Important

The digital age has connected us all in ways we couldn’t have imagined 30 years ago. Now, all you have to do is look on various social media sites to see who’s getting married, having a baby, getting a new job or having a birthday.

At work, technology advancements are even more pronounced. Have a question for a colleague? Just send them an email. Do you need an immediate answer for a client? You could send a text or maybe an instant message.

More and more, face-to-face communication in the workplace is becoming a thing of the past. We are all so connected via phone, tablets, computers and watches, that there’s no need to leave our desks. Why walk down the hall or to another building, when technology offers us a much more efficient manner of doing business?

While the digital age benefits the workplace in many ways, some argue that the over-reliance of technology for communication is hindering personal connection.

Here are some ways face-to-face communications can benefit you at work.

Shows body language

According to research, more than 90% of human communication consists of body language. When you see the way the person you are talking to reacts, you can better understand how they are feeling. Emojis can only reveal so much!

One of the benefits of face-to-face communication is the instant feedback translated through body language and facial expressions. You can also hear the tone of voice, which makes it easier to interpret the person’s feelings.

Consider how simple it is to misinterpret an email or text. If you’re discussing sensitive or important information, the context of tone and body language makes a difference. Face-to-face meetings ensure engagement will be higher and communication will be better understood.

Clear and concise communication

How many times has an email been misunderstood, misread or perceived by another party to be rude when that wasn’t the intention? Face-to-face conversations minimize the risk of miscommunication, promoting more effective business practices.

Builds relationships

People like to do business with and work with people they like. Face-to-face interaction is more likely to show your personality as opposed to an email or text. A sense of community comes with the ability to interact and socialize, and this sets the foundation for trust, and ultimately better working relationships.

A recent study by The Harvard Business Review reported that face-to-face requests are 34 times more successful than emails. We lose out on the ability to fully connect with others when we sit behind a screen.

Boosts effectiveness

Efficiency is so important, especially in the business world. Imagine having to explain a whole project through an email and then spend the whole day responding to questions. Meeting with your team will allow you to give out all the details at once, benefit from the flow of ideas that the others might suggest, and boost the overall creativity and energy. Also, you will be able to address all the problems at once.

Engagement and innovation

Face-to-face communication also helps to build collaborative environments that inspire and energize employees to participate in meetings, brainstorming sessions and more. These environments foster engagement and innovation, which is important for employee satisfaction as well as company culture and growth.

Addressing sensitive issues

When addressing sensitive issues, put down the phone, move away from the keyboard, and make the effort to engage in-person – it will be crucial to a successful outcome. Whether you are providing specific feedback to a staff member or addressing an issue with a colleague, much can be misinterpreted or lost when communicating via technology.

While technology is a necessary part of business today, there is no replacement for personal interaction. Here at The Lee Group, we will personally help you with your job search or executive recruitment needs. Face-to-face.