8 Reasons To Have Face-To-Face Communication

With more technology, social media, and social distancing, face-to-face communications become rare and powerful.

I recently had the opportunity to attend Todd McKinnon's, CEO of Okta, "ask me anything" (AMA) with his employees as they were all working remotely during the COVIID-19 lockdown. Todd's willingness to put himself out there and answer questions on the spot early in an unprecedented situation was powerful and reassuring.

While Todd could not see everyone attending the Zoom conference, it was a powerful event nonetheless.

Following are eight reasons to have a face-to-face (F2F) communication with someone when you have the opportunity:

1. F2F communication establishes more trust than other modes of communication. There's greater transparency for all participants.

2. F2F communication is more likely to be perceived as credible.

3. F2F communication is more productive than other modes of communication.

4. F2F communication is more efficient than other modes, there is less likelihood for misunderstanding or misinterpreting.

5. F2F communication allows for better rapport and trust-building than audio or written communications which can make the difference in reaching agreement, ensuring each party understands the other, and closing a sale.

6. 89% of American workers say email, text, and voicemail get in the way of their workplace relationships.

7. 87% of American workers say email is not an effective way to resolve workplace confrontations.

8. 67% of senior executives say their organization would be more productive with F2F communication.

I've seen studies that suggest that 10% of communication is what is said, 20% is what we hear, 70% is what we see.

Think about how much more you get out of F2F communication than communication that are just based on email or telephone calls.

There are so many visual cues in a F2F communication that it's hard to deny its effectiveness.

How many times have you had miscommunication with someone via email or telephone that would not have occurred had you been speaking directly with one another?

When you are able to see the person to whom you are speaking, you receive visual cues on whether or not they understand what you are saying and you provide them with visual cues as well.

You get far more insights from customers, prospects, channel partners and management team members when you have a face-to-face conversation with them.