Enter your email below to receive weekly updates from the Ashton College blog straight to your inbox.
In today’s digital age the importance of face-to-face communication seems to be fading, as one can go almost an entire day without actually interacting with people. People rely heavily on the convenience of emails, text messages, and social media.
While it is impossible to deny the importance of these platforms and the way that they have revolutionized our business communication skills, it is important to balance these online interactions with face-to-face communication.
One issue with digital forms of communication is that they tend to be impersonal. Moreover, trying to make your digital communications seem more friendly or personalized runs the risk of being misinterpreted or viewed as unprofessional.
Miscommunication is one of the major causes of inefficiency and workplace conflicts. Many of these issues can be attributed to digital communications and the various ways they can be interpreted.
“When we assume that other people know what we’re thinking, and what we are expecting of them, we do them a real disservice. Assuming that we’ve been clear about what we wanted, we blame them when things don’t go as planned.”
– Heidi Grant Halvorson, Forbes.
You can gauge how interested someone is in what you are talking about by reading their body language. If you are in a meeting and your colleagues are fiddling with their pens, or checking their watches, you know that you have to:
Likewise, if colleagues and partners are actively nodding their heads and smiling, it is clear that they are engaged with you, your message and your workplace communication skills.
Face-to-face communication and in-person meetings can boost efficiency. Instead of spending an entire day emailing back and forth, you can hash out all of the details of a project in one go. These meetings can also boost creativity as the overall energy will be higher so you can brainstorm and solve a multitude of problems at one time.
Face-to-face communication, whether over video conferencing or in the office, can also be much more effective for those who may struggle with written communication. Everyone has their own unique set of skills, and some people are much more fluid and clear with verbal communication.
Adding the personal touch of face-to-face communication is much more important to those dealing with outside clients and stakeholders. A sense of community comes with the ability to interact and socialize. This sets the foundation for trust, and ultimately creates a better working relationship
While face-to-face communication is not always an option due to distance or conflicting schedules, it is important that you do not forget about it completely. Whenever possible, take the time to interact with your colleagues face-to-face and enjoy the benefits.
By entering your email below, you agree to receive articles from the Ashton College blog. We will not send you promotional materials or any other information. You can unsubscribe at any time.
View All Comments
Face to face dialogue or communication is fantastic in the real sense. However, in modern day society, we should also evaluate the risks n threats undermining this system of communication. Thanks.
Hi Rafael,
Unfortunately, it’s hard to retrieve the blog author’s name as it was published back in 2013. Please feel free to use the quote, referring to Ashton College, and use the link to this original blog if possible.
Thank you!
Good day!
I would like to ask when was this published? And I would like to know also who published this article so we can cite it on our study. Thank you!
Hi Augustina,
Unfortunately, it’s hard to retrieve the blog author’s name as it was published back in 2013. Please feel free to use the quote, referring to Ashton College, and use the link to this original blog if possible.
Thank you!
Hi, I wanted to know who the author of this article is as I need to quote it for a project at school in Argentina. Thank you.
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it,
you will be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and
will often come back down the road. I want to encourage yourself to continue
your great writing, have a nice morning!
[…] There is something unique about a real conversation that makes it feel real and as if we are making a true exchange of human interaction rather than artificial […]
[…] College wrote an article about the importance of face to face communication, in this article it lays out the pros of face to face communication and cons of just emailing and […]
[…] You are connecting through social media, and yes, it’s great to meet new people that you may have never got the opportunity to meet, but you shouldn’t just talk on social media. Texting, messaging, and Snapchatting are great but face-to-face contact is important for lifelong connections Face-to-face communication and in-person meetings can boost efficiency. Instead of spending an entire day e-mailing back and forth, you can hash out all of the details of a project in one go.. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, “cell owners between the ages of 18 and 24 send an average of 109.5 messages on a normal day’that works out to more than 3,200 texts per month.” This is why people text more and talk less. The world is changing, but face-to-face communication is becoming few and far in between. “Face-to-face communication and in-person meetings can boost efficiency. Instead of spending an entire day e-mailing back and forth, you can hash out all of the details of a project in one go,” according to ashtoncollege.ca. […]
[…] The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication […]
Hi, it is a pleasure to read your blog about face to face communication which is very realistic and interesting. I am studying Psychology at the Central Queensland University Rockhampton Australia and finishing my assessment regarding Facebook implication to the personal relationship. Can I cite your blog as a reference? If so may I ask for the author? Pardon, my straight forward question.
Many thanks,
Maria
Hello Maria,
Thank you for reaching out – You are more than welcome to cite our article. The name of the author for The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication is Shelby Petersen.
Have a great day!
[…] continuous feedback from the end users. In this methodology, leadership inspires teamwork, face-to-face communication, and […]
[…] continuous feedback from the end users. In this methodology, leadership inspires teamwork, face-to-face communication, and […]
[…] Benefit 2: Maintain Social Contacts and Presence! The ÔÇÿsocial’ in social media, staying in touch with old friends or connecting with new ones can definitely bring more happiness in your life. Remember, this is not a replacement for face-to-face interaction! […]
[…] (2013) The importance of face-to-face communication. Available at: https://india.ashtoncollege.ca/the-importance-of-face-to-face-communication/ (Accessed: 23 April […]
love the website, Keep it up guys!! :)
[…] SOURCE: https://india.ashtoncollege.ca/the-importance-of-face-to-face-communication/ […]
[…] with digital communications. Miscommunication can make doing tasks with other people an antagonistic, inefficient and ineffective chore. Face-to-face interactions build trust, understanding and a sense of shared mission, which is […]
[…] with people coming closer, face to face communication has added a more personal touch to how someone speaks to other people during certain conversations. This allowed people to adjust […]
We totally agree Abdul. We actually have a number of remote or semi remote staff who work at Ashton and we use Google Hangouts to bring face-to-face communication to the digital meeting. We find it very effective!
Face to Face meetings are good. However, not always feasible. To communicate with overseas clients and business partners, web video conferencing is a very effective medium. Tools like R-HUB, WebEx, GoMeetNow, gotomeeting etc. are used for the same. It helps businesses reduce travel costs.
[…] http://www.ashtoncollege.com/theimportance-face-face-communication/ […]
[…] that the most quality interpersonal interaction comes through face to face communication. A recent article published by Ashton College highlights that face-to-face communication uniquely allows for the […]
[…] Ashton College- The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication. (2013, November 21). Retrieved February 8, 2015, from http://www.ashtoncollege.com/theimportance-face-face-communication/ […]