This blog post by Anthony Tjan, CEO of the venture capital firm Cue Ball, explains society’s growing dependence on technology as a means of communication, notably in business. By trying to resolve conflicts over Email rather than by telephone or in person, we actually worsen the problem and hinder resolution. This happens for three reasons: It is hard to get the EQ (emotional intelligence) right in email, Email and text often promote reactive (vs. progressive) responses, and Email prolongs debate1.
I thought this blog post posed some very valuable points. Mr. Tjan’s ideas are applicable to almost every situation, business-related or not. For example, in a personal relationship, most conflicts are better resolved in person than through an indirect technological means. Nowadays, it is easy to lose track of which situations are appropriate for computer-related interactions. This is related to the increased amount of time people—especially youth—spend on the internet. Children are being introduced to Email, Facebook, Skype, etc. earlier, thus imprinting a sense that technology is imperative in communication. Although telephoning is also a type of communication, it is easier to transmit emotion and expect a quicker response than in Email. Meeting in person is even better—it’s important to foster the “people” side of business, something that is escaping our society as technology improves.
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We could use some People around here
References
1.Tjan, Anthony. (2011, November 1). Don’t Send That Email. Pick up the Phone! [Web log comment]. Retrieved from http://blogs.hbr.org/tjan/2011/11/dont-send-that-email-pick-up-t.html