TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.- As one of the last Air Force members that wore the utility green uniforms that I was issued in basic training over 28 years ago, I have seen our great service evolve.  I remember the day we got that first green screen computer in our shop so we could start documenting aircraft maintenance actions versus the pad of Form-349s and a pencil.  Before each shift, we had roll call where supervisors briefed the day’s events and pulled out the appointment book to remind members of the day’s appointments and events.  Supervisors from all levels were forced to get out from behind the desk and see Airmen to pass information.  There were no emails, texts, emojis, Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat.  It was a high five, hand shake or pat on the back as we talked to each other.  Sadly as technology has progressed, the art of face-to-face communication is slowly becoming a lost art due largely in part to it being easier to send something electronically. 

You would be hard pressed to argue the statement, “Good communication is the foundation to a successful relationship, be it personal or professional.”  Nothing can replace getting out from behind a desk and going to talk to someone in person.  By virtue of standing in front of someone, we get to know them better and can pick up on changes in attitude that may be cues that something else is going on in one’s life.  It is virtually impossible to gather true meaning or intent of someone’s message when it is electronic.  Often times the true meaning of the message is missed when we just send a text or email.  How many times has a message been misunderstood because it was received electronically?   

A lot can be lost in translation by not being able to see an individual’s reaction or non-verbal cues.   I once read about a University of California Los Angeles study that identified a majority of communication as being non-verbal.  The article’s statistics showed only 7 percent of a message is relayed through word, 38 percent through vocal tones and 55 percent through non-verbal elements.  By these statistics alone we are missing over half of a conversation by not being able to see the non-verbal elements.  Do you truly know how someone is receiving the message you are trying to convey if it is only presented via electronic means?  I dare to say the answer is no.  Imagine how much more effectively you can help a subordinate get on the right track when you give feedback to them face to face?  How much better do you feel when someone takes the time to tell you personally, thanks for the hard work you have been doing or how much your actions have made a difference to the unit?  A face-to-face thanks from my leadership means 100 times more than a signed canned form letter handed to me through a distro box. 

“Chief, what does face-to-face communication have to do with getting in 10,000 steps a day?” you might ask.  A little bit of effort to get out and communicate with the great Airmen in your unit will get you closer to 10,000 steps a day than sending an email or text.  Remember, relationships are much stronger when communication is effective.