It is a sad day when a text message has become for some the only mode of communication. While texting is certainly not a bad way to communicate quickly when a phone call is not possible, I am seeing a trend in many who just choose to hide behind their messages. Let me go a little deeper here.
Recently I was working on a negotiation with another agent. Initially we spoke on the phone prior to the offer officially being presented. Once the offer was presented, texting back and forth became the operative method for negotiating. At one point the negotiation needed some clarification which needed to be done either in person or via a live voice communication, aka a phone call.
Texting is good in that you can have conversations in writing. The downside is that it is that it is often easy to misconstrue emotions, tone and can be misunderstood. Speaking in person can and does clarify things quickly and can diffuse misunderstandings much better.
Some people I am finding just do not want to "talk" on the phone and hide behind their texts. Where they will be forceful and sometimes come across powerful in a text, I have found that when you do get them on the phone the tone is much different. Therefore, many people are choosing to hide behind their text messages!
We are professionals and we do need to speak to one another! Texting has its merits but so much more can be communicated in person or via a phone call. Minute details can be missed in a text.
Stop hiding behind that text message and pick up the phone! Inter-personal communication will always be important! Let's not lose this art of picking up the phone to communicate!
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