Are Face-To-Face Meetings Still Important?

Could we survive in a future where we never actually meet our coworkers?

Technology has undoubtedly made this possible, and the past few years have proven how practical it is for many companies to run efficiently when everyone is working from home. But should we choose to meet in person when the opportunity arises?

Why is it still necessary to have face-to-face meetings?

While computers and artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly taking over functions traditionally performed by humans, most organisations still rely on people. These companies are frequently based on connections, and how those people engage with one another is critical to their success.

There is no substitute for communicating with someone face-to-face to develop a strong culture and strong client relationships. This enables us to establish relationships, communicate more deeply, and better understand others through our intuitive understanding of body language. Some things are simply beyond the scope of a Zoom call.

The Advantages of Face-to-Face Meetings

Let us go more profound than saying that "face-to-face meetings are important." What certain factors make it such an essential part of professional life?

1. Nonverbal gestures

We typically can only see faces during video conferences, which is a significant concern. It is not always possible to convey critical information with words alone.

Body language, eye contact, and micro-behaviours, such as changing facial expressions, can all reveal much about the direction a conversation takes. Whether you are meeting with a client or a coworker, you can change the subject or push the conversation in a different approach based on how you anticipate they will react. Unfortunately, you lose that ability whenever somebody decides to turn off their camera for your meet-up.

2. Fewer technological difficulties

Advances that would have seemed sci-fi 20 years ago have been made. But, as with anything involving computers, technology has its growing pains. Not everyone owns the most recent HD camera or a crystal-clear audio system. Furthermore, not everybody can afford the most expensive broadband plan.

Internet connectivity and other technical difficulties can waste time and induce stress. Meetings in person remove this issue. When was the last time you had to inform someone that they were "on mute" during a face-to-face meeting?

3. Idea exchange

There are songs and books written by persons who have never met in person, but they are the exception rather than the standard. When people are seated together, creative cooperation occurs more naturally.

When colleagues can see their peers, they may feel more comfortable speaking, and it helps them to explain ideas, such as on a whiteboard visually. Nonverbal cues notify us whether an idea has piqued the interest of others, pushing us to expand on it. When we are in the same room, the back and forth of inspiration as we bounce ideas off one another feels much more natural.

4. The pleasures of small talk

Gossip and "what did you do over the weekend?" chats are vastly underappreciated as methods of interacting with coworkers and fostering a positive atmosphere. Small talks are excellent for building relationships and getting to know people more personally, resulting in stronger partnerships. You can learn just as much about someone from their interests as you can from their professional expertise.

The next time you have a face-to-face encounter, talk about the weekend or travel into a meeting, you will notice a shift in the tone of the dialogue and become calmer. These minor details are as significant to humans as "big-thinking" discussions. And life would be significantly more boring without them.

5. Effective communication

Face-to-face communication is the most effective, decreasing the likelihood of things being misunderstood or lost in translation. This is a constant risk with emails; how many of us can write clearly and concisely at all times? Texts can be brief and provide room for interpretation. Even video calls can be confusing - are you bold enough to interrupt somebody remote who is in the middle of a full-screen presentation?

Simply put, speaking with someone face to face makes it much easier for us to understand what they are saying and to ask them questions.

6. Dealing with sensitive issues

Thanks to technological advances, we can now give bad news in an impersonal manner. Consider workers laid off by recorded video messages or scathing emails delivered to a database. If you have to discuss something delicate, a face-to-face meeting is considerably superior to a video call since it eliminates the possibility of misinterpretation.

It is also easier to show empathy and understanding, demonstrating that you care about the issue and want to help address it. You have already shown that you value the situation by taking the time to travel to meet with someone.

7. Greater involvement

It is easy to become distracted when attending conferences from our beds. Since others cannot see our hands, we use our phones to play games and text. 

Face-to-face communication can boost involvement and engagement by motivating people to be completely present. As a result, the desire to multitask has gone. People are also more inclined to contribute and recognise natural breaks in the discussion to express their opinions. 

Keynote

In-person meetings are not always required or the most efficient use of time. What is necessary is the correct balance of factors to determine whether a meeting should be held in person or remotely for maximum effectiveness.

That is why hybrid working is so popular, as it allows people to choose the optimal method for their specific meetings. You can boost productivity by using technology to bring teams together in the right place at the right time.

Source: Condeco

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