Have we lost the simplest form of communication – the voice? No, not the popular singing competition. The human voice. The one that has much to say (at times, too much).

Have you noticed how often this simple communication goes missing? Or is that just me? Situations exist when using your voice instead of today’s technology tools makes more sense. Especially in business communication.

Simple Communication Lost

The following shares three scenarios that speak volumes about the loss of simple communication. I’ll apologize now for any groan-worthy puns.

#1 – Talk – Don’t Type

Our first hint of our lost voice happened when email arrived on the scene. How many times have you received an email when a call or a visit to your office would have been quicker and more efficient? One of my major pet peeves occurred in my corporate days.

While sitting in my Dilbert-styled cubicle, my computer dinged with an email message. A client? No, it was my cubicle bunkmate, just over the cubicle wall.

• Seriously? She emailed me about something that required a simple yes or no response.
• Was there a cubicle wall sign that said, if you can’t see them, they’re not there?
• Couldn’t that coworker walk over or pick up the phone (if the person was in a different department)?

Some may dismiss this as another baby boomer whine, longing for the “good old days” when we spoke to one another – you know – simple communication.

Because there is a kernel of truth in nearly every statement, I admit I miss hearing the voice of a friend or family member.

#2 – Honey, Read My Wall

How we communicate has changed – a lot. But I am amused (and amazed) by the number of spouses communicating to each other on social media posts about personal day-to-day events.

• Are they insecure in their relationship (as one study reported)?
• Or is this just the way today’s couples communicate?

The real kicker for me was a submission to one of those Ask for Advice columns. It was from a mother who heard from friends that her son had been taken to the hospital. What was her daughter-in-law’s excuse? She put it on her Facebook wall.

Business Communication

So, you think, okay, but what does that have to do with business communication? Picture two workers (or a team) managing a project.

Tim got hooked on social media. He was so good at it; his company assigned him to do the company posts. Recently, the company selected Maggie to work on a client project with Tim and other coworkers. Most worked remotely.

Below is an illustration of what happened next.

Remote teams are much more common in our post-pandemic world. So, the need for good communication is heightened. A simple alternative to Tim’s issue was to pick up the phone and call Maggie.

1. Not every team member needed to be included in Tim’s message.
2. Each person communicates differently so it’s important to be on the same page (and platform).
3. It was an easy fix through a call. Another bonus, Maggie could have stayed on the phone while resending the report. That way she would ensure delivery and avoid further delays.

#3 – The Mistaken Sound of Your Voice

Sometimes, I crave simple communication. No tweets, posts, wall-writing, email-sending messages. Just the simple sound of your voice.

Think about the following scenario.

• You received an email, and its message really ticked you off.
• Or perhaps it was text or another form of social media communication.
• But then you find out you totally misinterpreted the message.
• Or perhaps you were the sender and were shocked to discover how someone interpreted your message.

Without the sound of the sender’s voice, messages may carry a tone or inflection that was not the sender’s intent. And the tentacles of communication typed in anger pull the message into simmering undertones.

When that happens, don’t you wish you called or talked in person instead? Below are a few examples of when that approach may be the better choice.

• You need to deliver bad news.
• It’s an urgent message.
• The topic is sensitive or an emotion-packed discussion.

How many times was your text or email misunderstood?

A Simple Communication Voice

I believe strongly in communication – in all forms. But there are times when you cannot replace the simplest form of communication – your voice.

• Let me know your thoughts.
• And it’s okay if you want to write them down in Comments.
• We’ll talk later. 😊

Credit: Bigstock Photo
Credit: Canva

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Helping you keep your business communication simple, clear & uniquely yours.

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In 2010, I joined the Ultimate Blog Challenge – blogging every day for 30 days. This post originally published on August 4, 2010. This October 23, 2023 version updates it.

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