Is using technologies a business communication style, or perhaps a method to avoid the difficult or unpleasant? Technologies is indeed fantastic, isn’t it? We are able to obtain info in seconds on the web, communicate with others in a blink of the eye, and have access to all of this at any time of the day or night, no matter where we are.
Whether or not we e-mail, text or IM, when utilized correctly all are fantastic tools that allow us to communicate rapidly and effortlessly. But these exact same tools we often use to steer clear of conversations we would rather not have.
Whilst many people consider using these tools a company communication style, I say hooey. Is it easier to send an email or perhaps a text message than talk to someone about a challenging subject? You bet! Can you zip off an IM or e-mail within the middle of the night so you don’t need to think about it anymore? You bet! Do you have any clue how the individual receiving the text, IM or email reacted, or even if they understood what you had been attempting to communicate? No, you have no idea.
By the way, leaving voicemails falls into exactly the same category. I had a client who used to communicate with her husband through emails and text messaging. Is it surprising they had marital problems? I’m sure numerous of you would answer this question having a resounding No. But because they had issues they chose by no means to communicate face-to-face or even on the telephone. All communication was handled via technology. Makes you wonder, does not it?
Now apply this to business and we frequently adopt exactly the same method. I suspect, although, that most of you reading this have avoided a conversation and sent an e-mail or text message rather. Perhaps you had been upset with somebody about missing a deadline or how they handled a client scenario. Did you call them, or send an e-mail? When a vendor doesn’t deliver as promised, do you pick up the phone, or do you send off a scathing e-mail? Have you ever sent an IM or texted somebody to communicate your feelings about their performance?
Is there ever a time that using technologies is really a company communication style? Yes, when you are using it to communicate more efficiently and aren’t using it to avoid a conversation that ought to take place in individual. Subsequent time, prior to you hit the Send button, ask your self in the event you should be having this communication by phone or face-to-face.
