Chat, Email, Phone, Or Meet? What’s The Best Option?

Now that we’re all working from home, have you noticed an increase in the use of IM, email, internal chat forums, and project management platforms to collaborate? Some of these tools have become our go-to in business, while meetings seem to be taking a backseat. However, writing is not always the most efficient or effective way to communicate. And, it carries compliance and reputational risks.

If collaboration is the goal, a well-run meeting or a phone call are your best options.

In a meeting, more questions can be asked, and more thoughtful, complete, and candid answers can be shared. Face-to-face meetings, whether virtual or in person, can also allow non-verbal cues and tone of voice to enhance and deepen communication.

Unfortunately, meetings have a bad reputation. According to Inc. and Fuze, executives consider more than 67% of meetings a failure.

However, when a meeting is planned with a purposeful, others-focused agenda, attendees become engaged, and it is often the best choice.

If you follow a process to address opportunities or problem-solve and you use strong listening skills to engage attendees, your in-person and virtual meetings will be seen as a success.

Before you hit send on your next email, consider the purpose of your communication. Reflect on your goal and your content. Are you discussing potentially sensitive topics? Are you short-changing the discussion or missing out on an opportunity to brainstorm? Is everyone in the loop truly contributing? Is it better to stop the IM’ing or emails and schedule a meeting or phone call?

As always, we’re here to help.