The Enduring Power of Face to Face Connection

TLDR: In Edition 2, we discussed sustaining long-term behavior in a near term world. Relationships require a measure of investment to sustain, and part of that means meeting face to face. Edition 3 explains why and how.?

Despite the advancements of the Information Age in facilitating communication, the significance of face to face interaction persists in both professional and personal realms. While digital channels offer ease of communication through text messages, Teams chats, and emails, meeting in person provides distinct advantages when it comes to fostering trust, displaying vulnerabilities, and establishing a bond that surpasses any other form of communication.

Trust is the basis for all strong relationships. Digital communication is like a mask. It can conceal critical nonverbal cues like body language and facial expressions. These cues play a central role in establishing trust and understanding. Seeing someone face to face allows for a more nuanced understanding of their message and intentions.? Are they nervous?? Do they look you in the eye when they speak to you?? Does their handshake give the feeling they are authentic?? These signals cannot be replicated online.

What’s more, face to face communication helps with collaboration and problem-solving. The ability to read body language, engage in immediate back-and-forth discussions, and brainstorm ideas in real-time enhances teamwork and creative thinking. It allows people to touch and feel tangible items like a hand in a handshake or a shoulder in an embrace (something we are seemingly more afraid of these days).???

Face to face interaction provides us a greater opportunity to be vulnerable. Has anyone ever tried dialing in to a funeral or the birth of a child?? Imagine telling your significant other, “Let’s connect over MS Teams for our child’s first birthday.”? Or, try to conjure up a fond memory of a loved one virtually participating in a family milestone; given the choice, most of us would opt for that person to be physically present.?

Whether connecting with colleagues, family, or friends, in-person interactions allow for deeper engagement and emotional connection. They offer an intimacy that cannot currently be reproduced digitally.? For instance, it is harder to mentally check out of a conversation if your conversation partner is physically seated in front of you. Such deeper connections contribute to stronger personal and professional bonds. What’s more, they foster a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

If, by chance, you believe virtual meetings or digital engagements can take the place of face to face encounters, try a short imaginary exercise. Travel back to your childhood during a typical dinner scene with a loved one. Smell the familiar fragrance of a favorite recipe and hear the music of forks and knives touching plates. Now replace the image of your loved one with a live image of them on an iPad. Does it feel the same? Would it have emotionally registered the same? A case can be made that dialing-in on a tablet or phone is not what strong families, much less work relationships, are made of.?

A caveat: digital meetings are a convenient way of communicating when a relationship is on firm footing. But, the value of physical presence when a relationship is not where it needs to be is perhaps inarticulable. Cry with one another, laugh together, and openly express admiration for one another. The world was built on that. The need for it isn’t likely to be replaced by machines soon.?

Face to face interactions can be cultivated mindfully, and here is how:?

Preparation is Key

1. Practice: Rehearse potential scenarios for the meeting beforehand. Role-play with a friend to address awkward moments or unexpected responses. For instance, after a social faux-pas such as incorrectly assuming that someone is in a heterosexual marriage after they told you they have been married for ten years (and they then correct you), how would you recover??
2. Do your research:? Look up the people and companies involved online. It does not mean going as far as to say, “Hey, I looked you up on Linkedin.? You and I went to the same college and we live very close to each other.”? Simply acknowledging common ground can help you to build rapport without being creepy.
3. Record yourself: Our facial and verbal habits are not always conscious, but we can make them so. For example, a shy person who avoids eye contact can be perceived to be dishonest. Video yourself practicing for a meeting to identify non-verbal cues you might not be aware of. What verbal and non-verbal cues are you giving?? Are you smiling?? Are you dozing off? Do you sound monotone? Are you leaning forward in an attentive position? Is your body language open or closed? Lastly, do you appear to be authentic?

Follow Up Makes a Difference

1. Offer thanks:? Always send a follow-up email or thank-you note after the meeting.
2. Stay connected: Consider establishing a regular cadence for future in-person meetings, even if it's annually.

In summary, although digital communication provides undeniable convenience, it cannot substitute the significance of face to face interactions. Integrating in-person meetings and interactions into our digital routines allows us to nurture stronger, more trusting relationships, encourage collaboration, and forge deeper human connections.