Hitting the “Like” button on social media, or even briefly commenting, may be one way to create a connection, but it’s not a conversation.
In her landmark book “Reclaiming Conversation,” MIT psychology research professor Sherry Turkle makes this important distinction.
“Face-to-face conversation is the most human–and humanizing–thing we do. Fully present to one another, we learn to listen. It’s where we develop the capacity for empathy,” writes Turkle.
To improve team chemistry and performance, leaders should strive to cultivate digital-free conversations.
According to Turkle, a large number of studies show that face-to-face conversations in the workplace “lead to higher productivity and reduced stress.” For example, call-center operators are more productive when they take breaks together and software teams produce fewer bugs when they talk more.
Research also shows that the quality of work produced by teams who communicated largely through email compared with others who worked face-to-face looked very different.
Face-to-face teams were more productive, had better work performance, and created stronger rapport with one another.
Clearly, there are digital productivity tools that have positively impacted our personal and professional lives, but these tools need to be balanced with in-person opportunities, retreats, events, and meetings.
And if you really want to emphasize the value of conversation, have everyone put the phones away. Behavioral scientists have found that just having them out on the table takes away from the flow and the focus.
Making connections is fine, but having authentic conversations is how we develop extra empathy, make real breakthroughs and drive more productivity.
It’s what we need at work; at home; with our colleagues; and with our kids.
Have a great week.
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