Face to Face Communication

Advantages

There are some clear advantages to communicating one-to-one rather than by email, phone or letter. You will be able to:

• Check understanding

• Gain instant commitment

• Generate enthusiasm

• Obtain instant feedback

Recommendations

• Make sure that when planning a face to face conversation that other commitments will not interfere.

• Prior to any conversation, make sure you have planned and prepared any facts or figures required.

• During the first stage of conversation, concentrate on checking your partner’s state of mind about the issue you are discussing.

• Are you in a good position to gain support? Summarise throughout the encounter to ensure both parties understand.

Exiting from an encounter

To avoid getting dragged into an over-long conversation:

• Set a specific time frame: “I can only spare 5 minutes”

• As the deadline approaches withdraw eye contact, and then use verbal or non verbal signs that the conversation is ending, e.g. looking at your watch.

• Wait for a suitable pause then say, “May I stop you there please?”.

You can also use these exiting techniques for phone conversations.

This content comes from The University of Essex