Are You Really Synchronised With Your Communication?

Digital communication is indispensable, but is it effective at all times? Gestures, body movement or simply looking at someone in the eye is the little things that add character, genuineness, and emphasis to the message being conveyed. Engaging communication is that which is received, understood, and acted upon. Real time, face-to-face conversation with employees cannot be digitally substituted, but can be complemented.

“There is never going to be a substitute for face-to-face communication, but we have seen since the alphabet, to the telephone, and now the Internet, that whenever people find a new way to communicate, they will flock to it.” - Howard Rheingold

True to these words, clicks, pings, and likes are what communication nowadays has come to. Instant messaging, emails, podcasts, and the like, suffice for business communication. Personal communication is also under the unescapable influence of technology. Technology enabled communication is an intrinsic part of our lives, and good old interpersonal communication few and far in between.

Texting and voice messaging have become intrinsic to business. There is no doubt that these accelerate communication, especially in times of crisis when there is pressing need to engage the workforce. One thing that any of these tools have failed to do is replicate or replace the tangible sense and feel that accompanies in-person communication.

Communication is not only about speaking. It also entails the tone of voice, facial expression, body language and active listening. Not only do all these aspects allow the participants to gauge reactions and arrive at interpretations, these are vital to ensure that the communication is effective and understood.

Among the plethora of digital options available today, none enhance credibility, instils trust and builds camaraderie like interpersonal interaction does. Being present in person, albeit virtually, as the case is now, sends another strong message to people. This implies that your people are important to you and the issue at hand merits your time and effort. Looking at someone in the eye with meaningful conversation actually says a lot about how relationships are nurtured and supersedes the mere click of a keyboard.

Going forward, audio- visual interaction built into a real time factor must be given a critical role in the communication mix if leaders are to create robust bonds with their people.Technology, as always, must be tempered by the discerning human element to ensure that you are truly communicating with your communication, and Raymond Arroyo reiterates the essence in his words, “… effective networking is done face-to-face, building a rapport with someone by looking at them in the eye, leading to a solid connection and foundational trust.”