Perhaps the biggest impact of the prevalence of smartphones (and ironically so!) is that we’ve stopped talking! We’ll actually text the person in the office right beside us rather than getting out of our chair to speak to them in person. We'll spend our breaks and lunch hours with our heads buried in our devices. We'll even attempt to text/email while we're walking or, heaven forbid, driving.
While we may be engaging with family, friends, co-workers more frequently and via various social media platforms, the sad reality is that face-to-face communication is becoming a lost art.
Before you pick up your device to send a text, a message or an email, here’s a list of eight reasons why you need to talk to the person face-to-face:
- You'll get to see their body-language (and vice-versa), which comprises a major part of effectively sending/receiving messages and thus avoiding stressful misunderstandings.
- You’ll get away from your desk for probably a much-needed break.
- You’ll build a beneficial connection with your colleague.
- You’ll probably have an opportunity to laugh during the conversation and you know that laughter is “the” best medicine!
- You'll ensure that your conversation will remain just between the two of you.
- You’ll be able to recall the conversation more vividly as all of your senses are involved.
- You’ll get an answer right away. BONUS!
- You’ll be viewed as more personable as people will get to know you on a different level.
I know face-to-face communication isn’t always possible, but it is desirable! Whenever you can, try to talk in person, or make a call...our devices are, after all, called SMARTPHONES!
Need some help communicating with your co-workers? Having trouble keeping your cool in difficult conversations? Check out my blog post Are You "Losing It" At Work?