Being a strong face-to-face communicator in the digital age
Written by: Izabella Knap, Centennial College, Editor, Student Representative and Content Contributor
Have you noticed that people have gotten more nervous or awkward over the past few years? I first noticed this when I enrolled in a public relations program last fall. Now, don’t get me wrong. I too felt clumsier and more nervous than I had in years past. I suddenly became very aware of my hands just sitting there while I talked. And was I opening my mouth too little or too much?
It quickly became apparent that the pandemic and all that time cooped inside behind a screen had left a lot of us with a serious case of over-thinking.
Or did it? Can we really blame all of this on the pandemic? Maybe it’s because we have been spending most of our day ‘doom scrolling’ for as long as we can remember.
When I started school, I noticed that the class struggled with things like small talk or sitting beside someone new. People seemed like they were uncomfortable with any scenario where they couldn’t predict or control everything.
I sympathize with this state of mind. However, I think that we as communicators—especially the younger generations—need to not only nip this in the bud, but to be continuously working on what it’s like to exist with the possibility of vulnerability.
Being able to speak with others face-to-face, or even over the phone, is something we need to not only be able to do at a moment’s notice, but also be very confident while we do it. The problem is, even if you take classes in public speaking and presentation, the issue will return once you are back to spending the majority of every day and night behind the soothing glare of your phone.
As professional communicators, it is vital that we regularly practice incorporating higher-stakes communication. Here are some things we can do to become well-rounded communicators, in order of difficulty:
- In a safe environment, practice starting a neutral conversation with a stranger regularly. I personally like to talk to approachable people at the pharmacy line-up, or the Canada Post worker that is always so nice to everyone!
- Practice asking for what you need in-person. Did a server bring you the wrong drink? Practice letting him know in a manner that is calm and kind, but not so kind that you aren’t taken seriously as a customer.
- Make plans to connect with a friend you’re beginning to lose touch with. But don’t put it off! For more free info, tools, and tips on how to practice healthy social connection habits, check out GenWellproject.org.
When we practice connecting with others in ways that feel scarier, what we are really doing is trusting ourselves to handle the situation no matter how it goes. If that person in the pharmacy line-up doesn’t want to talk, that just means you will be better equipped for when a pitch doesn’t land, or when a client doesn’t quite love your idea.
See you on the less awkward side!
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