In recent times, I have seen an abundance of articles and posts, such as this one, about the virtues of virtual communication, as if we need to be convinced of its merits. Call me old-fashioned, but my own experience working with virtual teams tells me that we are losing something in the process of abandoning face-to-face interaction.
Face-to-face interactions remain irreplaceable. They build trust more quickly, encourage spontaneous collaboration, and strengthen relationships in ways that virtual meetings cannot replicate. The nuance of body language, the energy in a room, and the ability to read subtle cues all contribute to deeper understanding and engagement.
That said, virtual communication has its place—it enables global teams to stay connected, supports flexibility, and facilitates efficient work across time zones. Considering my current global role, it would be practically impossible to perform well without online meetings, email, and messaging tools.
To find the right balance between live and virtual communication in our digitally connected world, I believe we need to make an effort to show up for people in person, even when it feels inconvenient. This means taking the train into the office when joining a meeting online is possible—picking up the phone when a text message may, on the surface, get the job done. Going for lunch with a colleague from another department when you feel like catching up on email over a sandwich at your desk.
Relationships matter in business and life. Virtual communication helps fill in the gaps. But even today, it is no equal substitute for the real thing.
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