The moaning about ‘meetings that could’ve been emails’ is heard from tech nerds hiding from human connection behind their screens.
An email instead of a meeting is like a conductor without an orchestra.
I’ve seen many big mistakes leaders made by choosing an email over a 15-minute meeting.
Always go for a quick meeting—online or in person—over a long email thread because:
[1] Only in face-to-face meetings can we use all communication channels – gestures, facial expressions, and postures.
[2] When you talk to people, you read their reactions even when they don’t say a word.
[3] Even professional journalists polish their articles for hours for clarity and conciseness. Are you sure your emails are readable?
[4] We speak 2-5 times faster than we type.
[5] Emails don’t imply feedback. Or, if they do, you risk turning what could’ve been a short meeting into an endless email exchange.
Face-to-face talks will always be the most efficient type of communication.
Use more emails instead of meetings, and you’ll lose touch with your team.
You don’t need exhausting, day-long sessions. But if you need to discuss an issue with your team, try to avoid using emails whenever possible.
What do you think? Can an email truly replace a meeting?
Svyatoslav Biryulin
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