It is very evident that the technology touching our lives has been evolving at a blistering pace and changing the way we communicate. In just the last few years, smartphones and internet connected devices have proliferated, networking and sharing on social platforms such as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, Whatsapp to just name a few.
What is remarkable though is how the social communications and behaviors have so quickly evolved when it comes to interacting with family, friends, associates and the world generally. Even more interesting is to observe the conflicts and stresses created especially among the various behavioral groups. The age group or various ‘generation’ as it is referred provides some insights.
A co-worker shared this insight that he saw his friend at a restaurant but did not feel the need to go and meet even though they exchange multiple Facebook messages every day. How about people tweeting each other from adjacent rooms in the same house. How about the getting the reaction “what’s wrong, why are you calling”. When was the last time we wrote a letter on paper. So this is one part of the story.
Let’s look into the other perspective on relationship and effectiveness. Every book and coach on productivity, relationship, leadership or professional training advocates the benefit and effectiveness of ‘hand written notes’, one-on-one meeting, team building activities encouraging physical interaction. The buzzwords such as ‘never eat alone’ have been and relationship continue to be the key to effective business and personal effectiveness.
Personal touch is having an identify crisis, it seems like. While the technology trends continue to disconnect us more and more physically while the personal effectiveness framework promoting exactly the opposite, one is left to wonder how to find the balance. Have you experienced such and have you found an effective way to switch modes depending on your interactions.
I would love to hear your thoughts on how you prefer to communicate and if technology has in any way changed the way you stay in contact with others.
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