10 Reasons Why Verbal Communication is Better

Fewer people use their phones for the one thing they were designed for: telephoning someone. Smartphones give you the option of texting, chatting and emailing, as well as contacting people through social networking sites.

Written communication allows your message can be sent whether or not the person is available, you can respond without time concerns and it gets straight to the point.

Calling someone directly is now lower down on the priority list. But of course, it verbal communication in business has its advantages. Here are 10 reasons to pick up the phone:

1. An immediate response is needed.

The problem with text or email is waiting for a response. You’d like to think that your recipient would answer straight away when they see your text arrive, but if they are busy, in a meeting, sleeping or hiding because they saw your caller ID, you may be waiting some time.

2. You are dealing with multiple people

Organising an event, a meeting or get together involving multiple people can be frustrating and time consuming when done through email. Get everyone together on a conference call and all organisation can be resolved in a much shorter time period, and everyone gets their questions answered immediately.

3. Discretion is required

You never know whose hands your email or text could fall into. If you don’t want your conversation recorded its best to use the phone for conversations to avoid any risk.

4. Convey the correct emotional tone

 A smiley face :) or a sad face :( are sometimes not enough to convey true emotion. When someone’s emotions are at stake it’s best to use the phone and have a real conversation.

5. Stop any confusion

Long emails are boring to read and boring to write. When your email conversation is mostly questions and answers being bounced back and forth, it is easier to speak on the phone. You can speak quicker than you type and questions can be answered quickly.

6. Breaking bad news

This should be obvious, but increasingly people use written communication as the cowardly approach. Don’t make the situation about yourself, humanise the situation with empathy they can hear.

7. Sharing important news

It doesn’t matter if this is good or bad news, loads of exclamation marks can’t convey the importance of a situation like a telephone conversation can.

8. Scheduling

Avoid going back and forth trying to arrange an available time and date for a meeting. Just call the person you’re dealing with.

9. Avoid any anger or conflict

Written messages can often be taken the wrong way. If you receive a message that suggests there is a problem – resolve it with real communication instead of unemotional communication. Don’t let it spiral out of control.

10. Use the personal touch

If you want to connect with someone, but it isn’t possible face to face, use the phone. Let them hear the care in your voice.