Blogging About Communication

We are living in a digital world. Texting a thumbs-up emoji substitutes for having a real person-to-person conversation. Although texting may feel efficient, is it preferable? What happens when texting replaces our actually talking to one another? Well, there are upsides and downsides.

The Upside

Texting is the fast food of communication. It’s quick, easy, and always available. It lets you edit your thoughts, respond on your own time, and not sweat the thought of not being able to hold up your end of a conversation. It just feels safer.

The Downside

When we text instead of talk, we lose the most powerful part of communication. Others often misread the meaning of our text. Texting can help us maintain a relationship, but texting alone rarely builds or deepens a relationship. There’s no eye contact with texting. There’s something missing from the connection. We call that the human element.

The Screen Effect

If screens carry most of day-to-day communication, our face-to-face skills get rusty. We start avoiding making small talk. We neglect to respond “in the moment.” We struggle to read nonverbal cues.

Talk Humanizes Relationships

Talk is more than exchanging words. It’s about building trust, reading others’ silent messages, and feeling seen. Talk lets us quickly clear up misunderstandings. Talk is a friendship strengthener. When practiced, it boosts self-confidence.

ACTION PLAN

Commit to flexing your conversation muscles by engaging in three brief low-stake conversations every day for one week. You might chat with the barista preparing your coffee, a person in front of or behind you in line, or a colleague you don’t usually chat with. If you’re at a loss for words, try using a conversation starter like “What’s been the best part of your day so far?” “Have you tried anything here you’d recommend to others?” Your goal is not to be perfect, but to be present and aware. You just might discover that the next time instead of reaching for your phone to text, you choose to unlock a stronger connection by swapping that text for a quick call or in-person chat.