When people communicate directly to each other they are able to make human connects that aren't possible with any other method. Human beings are creatures of the pack. Like animals we need and want to feel part of a group. This is one of the major reasons when someone gives us a complement we feel good and when someone treats us poorly we feel bad.
Since we want to be part of a tribe the human interaction takes precedence over every other method of communicating. Naturally we pay attention when someone is talking to us if we find that person credible and engaging in a conversation that is worth our attention. When either of these components is missing we begin to day dream and tone out the messages.
The human mind is visual by nature. We like to see images and store them away in our minds for later use. We can store much more information when we have a picture than when we don't. Talking face to face holds the other person more accountable as in their minds there is no doubt a conversation has taken place. A picture is worth a thousand words.
The nonverbal skills we use also gives off a lot of information that would not have been able to transmit through electronic systems. For example, we can show annoyance, anger, pleasure, joy, disdain and just about every other emotion through a few small facial expressions. When we mix this with our message we are able to put interesting spins on the conversation. This information can be critical to getting across our expectations of the request, how we feel about it and what we want a person to do.
Interpersonal communication has the ability to develop a culture much quicker than other methods of passing information. Depending on the type of personalities that have the most influence in the organization a culture can develop which could be either positive or negative. Negative influential personalities will encourage other people to be negative while positive personalities will encourage a positive culture.
We all know that emails, phones, faxes, memos and other methods of passing information are important. Yet before you send an email consider that the interpersonal contact may have much more influence. If the situation and problem is important enough it shouldn't take much effort to have a short face to face discussion.
