3 Reasons Verbal Communication is Better than Email
We’re living a digital age with an immense appeal that provides the fast lane in communicating with email and texts. Yes, it seems like we can get more done by firing off rapid emails. However, due to the nature of the written word, sometimes it can prove to be counter-productive. Here are 3 Reasons Verbal Communication is Better than Email.
1. You can’t read tone in an email.
We’ll lead off with this one because it’s probably the most important. How many times have you received an email but unable to identify a specific attitude within the message? Humans rely on cues other than just words to effectively communicate. Research shows that 38% of communication is accomplished by one’s tone of voice. Email, obviously, removes that tone of voice. Can you imagine trying to deliver an important message to someone knowing it’s 38% less effective because you were sending it via email? Would you still send that email? If the message is important enough, maybe it’s worth discussing over the phone instead.
2. It can convey more sincerity.
If you want to deliver a message with seriousness, email shouldn’t be your media of choice. Sending an apology, congratulations, or offering constructive criticism may be best done with a phone call. Think of how an apology could come across as insincere with an email or how a congratulatory note may be underwhelming. Consider how a message containing even mild criticism, can come across a little stronger when written rather than verbalized.
3. You rob yourself of the opportunity to develop rapport.
In a professional setting where team cohesiveness is important (sound familiar, MSLs?), ‘talking opportunities’ create connections between you and your teammates. It’s much better for people to get to know your demeanor (which is hopefully pleasant) and to learn a little bit more about each other with each contact that it is to simply be an unknown face behind a series of emails.
Do you have any horror stories about misunderstood emails?
Author: Lawrence Beck, CPC
