Or text message over Slack or Teams…
Pause for a moment and consider if the message would benefit from a more rich experience — for the human on the other side.
Would hearing your tone of voice make sure the message is received in the way you intend?
Would being able to see your facial expression help ensure the message is not misunderstood?
Or perhaps it’s a difficult or touchy topic that would benefit from being face to face? Empathy is easier to demonstrate when it’s delivered with your voice and body language.
With so much of our communications happening through keyboards on our devices, it’s easy to forget how much room there is for misunderstanding — when you only have words to rely on.
Sometimes, you need more than words.
Michael Piperno is a communication coach and executive presence expert. His insights empower leaders to communicate effectively and authentically.