Is technology hurting communication?

 

As you look around you see how fast the world is moving and how much easier it is supposed to be to stay in touch. The question really is though are we really staying in touch with each other or is all the advances in technology really making us more disconnected? These days you can communicate in so many ways with phones, blackberry’s, the internet, email, and many more but are we communicating or just corresponding and is there a difference. To me it seems that the easier technology makes it to stay in touch the less we actually are in touch with each other.

What ever happened to the good old days where you actually stopped and talked to people? The days where you felt the conversation and tone when actually standing there talking to some one.

 These days it is so much easier to just send an email to your employees, but that is the problem with business. Where is the relationships and rapport building that makes a team and a place worth working at? How do you build what Stephen Covey calls emotional bank time with your employees if you don’t know them or take time to build solid relationships with them? Employers would have you believe that people leave because of money, but in fact the biggest reason employees leave a company is because they don’t feel like part of the team or challenged. Communication is one of the biggest reason or lack there of that employees get frustrated and leave. It is said that an employees’ longevity with a company is a reflection of the relationship they have with their immediate supervisor.

  So take the time to get to know your employees. Invest time in building strong rapport and relationships with them. You have to learn what motivates and demotivates each one of them. They have to know you for you. They have to know you support them and are there for them. Each person has goals learn what they are and help them set a path to reach them.

 How you ask? It is simple. Take time out to talk and when you do be there. What I mean is be there in the moment. If someone is talking to you be attentive. Show them respect don’t continue working or typing, stop and be there in the moment.  Follow up and follow through. If you make a commitment or need to get back to one of your employee’s do so. Start the day by greeting them and when ending the day say goodbye. You would be shocked at how much a difference this makes. Are you going to be able to do this every single day, probably not and the funny thing about it is when you miss a say they will let you know. Make time in your day to be engaged and spending time with your employees’. Take time also to listen. Your people have great ideas and passion for what they believe in. Hold time aside to discuss the business with them. They want to know what is going on and you are more likely to get their buy in if they understand the reason why behind the what we ask them to do.

 This does not only apply to the workplace. You can see the disconnect happening emotionally as well with family and friends. Do not use technology as a crutch. Get back to the basics. Stop and talk to some one. Let them see you for you and enjoy your company and conversation.