Face to face communication is synonymous with oral communication. Therefore most of the advantages and disadvantages mentioned for oral communication apply in this case too. However, this particular type of communication warrants a special discussion for the reason that it is possible to distinguish between face to face communication and oral communication in certain situations. It is a sum total of both verbal and non-verbal communication. This type of communication can be defined as a type of communication wherein people meet personally to discuss and deliberate on certain issues or facts, etc. Given below are the advantages and disadvantages of face to face communication.
Advantages of Face to Face Communication:
Addition of Non-verbal Cues: Facial expressions, gestures and tone of voice help us to communicate in a better manner as all these non-verbal cues supplement our oral communication. Can u imagine talking to a person without any facial expressions or gestures whatsoever? No, we cannot!! It is not for nothing that we make fun of Kristen Stewart for having and maintaining the same look and expression in the entire movie. Compare the two images below to understand the point.
Particularly Suitable to Discussion: Face to face communication helps in better discussion of matters at hand. Since one can see the other people involved and guess from their expressions and reactions about what exactly is in their minds, it becomes easier to arrive at a decision or conclusion.
Instant Feedback: This point is common to advantages of oral communication. During face to face communication, it is always possible to get instant feedback from the receiver of the message. There is no delay caused due to any external factors.
Disadvantages of Face to Face Communication:
Difficult to Employ in a Large Setup: A large sized organisation has various departments and a complex hierarchical structure. Often times, it may not be possible to discuss each and every policy or rule with each employee before implementing them. So, in spite of all the aforementioned benefits, it isn't feasible at all times.
Not Effective in a Large Gathering: In a large gathering, the personal touch is often missing. The speaker cannot connect to each and every listener and give personal attention to each. Hence, although the speaker and the listeners face each other and there is discussion involved, the effectiveness of face to face communication is curtailed.
Ineffective if the listener is not attentive: In spite of all the benefits of face to face communication, if the listener involved engages in passive listening, or simply hearing without listening, the whole purpose of a face to face communication is lost in this conversation. There has to be some involvement from the listener too. After all, communication is a two way process.
The following video highlights three steps for effective face to face communication.
Stay tuned for a fun-filled discussion on etiquette..
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