The Importance of Face-to-Face Communication

Written by: johnsinit • Edited by: Elizabeth Wistrom
Published Aug 22, 2010 • Related Guides: Body Language

Face-to-face communication, be it in personal life or professional life, is way better than the electronic modes of communication such as telephone conversations and e-mails. The emotions, body languages and expressions are essential parts of communication that are lost in electronic world.

A New World is Here

With the advanced communication techniques, face-to-face communication has considerably decreased over the recent years. The

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electronically efficient modes of communication over telephone and emails and instant chat have taken an upper hand in today’s world. The personal touch and flow of emotions have disappeared with the electronic communication taking precedence over our day to day life. This certainly does not seem to a very effective and productive advancement though. Around 67 percent of employees feel they would do better at work if their seniors spoke to them face-to-face instead of ordering them around over telephone or through e-mails.

Pros and Cons of Electronic Communication

The electronic media is fast and convenient, but it should not replace the old-fashioned face-to-face communication. When you see a person speak, you do not only hear the words - you also see his body language, observe his expressions and feel his emotions. These additional traits of seeing a person speak his message helps our brain to process the said information more effectively and correctly. With just the words, the impact is not the same and misunderstandings can arise. When face-to-face communication happens, the decisions and responses are quickly done. The answer to any problem is quickly sought. This explains why, in high tensed and risky situations, a face-to-face meeting is typically called instead of arranging a conference call.

Appreciation and Feedback Should Really Be Face-to-face

When giving appreciation, if it is done via an e-mail or through a telephone conversation, the employee does not feel appreciated. Or, the feeling of being appreciated may last for only a moment. However, if this is done to his/her face, the feeling of being appreciated lasts longer. This could be because the employee sees being appreciated and feel being appreciated, and merely does not hear appreciation. Same goes the case with constructive negative feedback. If an employee is told the areas he has to improve on via electronic modes of communication, he/she may take it personally and take offense. However, if the higher management takes time to come to their employee’s desk and discuss their areas of improvement, the employee is sure to take it in a positive way. Also, in order to get feedback from employees, rather than asking them to ‘fill out a form’ or ‘compete a survey’, it is much better and more effective if it is sought on a person to person basis.

Peolple Important to You

In communicating with your own families, nothing replaces face-to-face communication. A daily call to a loved one is not a compensation

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for a monthly visit. The feeling of being together, the sharing of moments and eating a meal with your family is priceless. So, in any phase of life and for any purpose of communication, a face-to-face communicaiton clearly wins.