Stop hiding behind technology

At a recent client engagement, I witnessed an interaction between two salespeople that absolutely shocked me.  They were both in training, and both communicating in training, but it was as if they were forced to actually talk.

When the opportunity presented itself to discuss a project further, one salesman said to the other, “email me the details and I’ll get back to you.”  The response killed me. “sounds like a plan."

No it doesn’t sound like a plan.  They were right next to each other, and preferred not to actually talk.  Here’s another prime example:

- I call a prospect and it goes to voicemail, so I leave a message.  3 minutes later the prospect emails me and apologizes for missing my call.  I immediately call back, only to go straight to voicemail.  Then I get a text apologizing for him being unavailable.  

How about this, instead of taking the time to email and text, why not just answering the damn phone.  It would’ve been faster.

Have we really gotten to the point where face-to-face communication or phone calls are too difficult?  Has technology allowed us to avoid all real communication?

Maybe this is a rant more than anything, but for the love of God, stop hiding behind technology.  Better yet, learn to communicate.

Yes email, twitter, and texting are all wonderful tools.  That doesn’t mean, and were not meant to, eliminate actual conversation.

So much, and such enormous parts of communication, are actually missed electronically. You can’t interpret emotions,  in fact more often than not, emotions and intent are misinterpreted through digital communication.  Deals don’t happen through email.  Deals happen if I like you, and I don’t like you if you won’t actually talk to me.  

Stop hiding behind technology and learn to talk to people.  Human interaction is actually wonderful and enjoyable and leads to great outcomes.  Digital communication is great for confirmation and passing details.  Deals though, are done between people actually talking. 

---