UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

In the new age of social media with interaction through emails and blog sites, have we lost the importance of the emotional connection of a face to face experience? We may well communicate with someone on a networking website, twitter, linkedin or facebook without even knowing the sound of their voice. Don’t underestimate the power of personal communication, a warm handshake and eye-contact rather than relying on an internet connection. Computers may be a faster way to deliver or receive a message, but you’ll miss the subliminal non-verbal clues given in facial expressions, body language and the tone of response. It’s easy to avoid being totally honest in an email which does nothing to instill mutual trust.

It’s said that many people like to hear the sound of their own voice and only when you meet in person can you show that you can be a good listener. It’s also about empathy and not what you say, but how you say it. Studies show that 55% of the understanding gleaned from a conversation is from body language, 38% from the tone of your voice and only 7% from the actual words used.

I believe that meeting face to face is as powerful as the emotion of listening to a live orchestra or viewing an original masterpiece in an art gallery. Nothing can compare with the real thing.