Question

Briefly discuss any three advantages and any three disadvantages of face to face communication. 

Discuss any four advantages and any four limitations of face to face communication.

Answer 1

Various advantages of Face-to-Face Communication are:

• Facial expressions and gestures can be used to reinforce the spoken words.
• It removes distances and barriers between the communicator and the communicate.
• It speaker can make necessary adjustments on the spot so as to suit the listener’s reactions.
• It is less expensive and quicker as compared to written communication.
• An individual’s personality can be judged through face-to-face interview.
• It is a flexible method where messages can be changed to suit the needs of the receiver.

Various Disadvantages of Face-to-Face Communication are:

• It may generate communication gaps.
• It is not always possible to have face-to-face communication when the number of employees is very large or there is long physical distance.
• It tends to be loose and vague.
• It has a tendency of being distorted.
• It is not suitable for lengthy messages to be transmitted to a large number of persons.
• It provides no record for future reference. 

Answer 2

Advantages of Face to Face Communication:

Demonstrate importance: Being there in person tells your audience that they are important to you and the issue you are discussing is worth your time and theirs. Your focus will get people’s attention and increase the potential for your message to be heard.

Interpret thoughts and feelings: When you are face to face, you can see and respond to people’s reactions – like facial expressions and body language – as well as their tone of voice. Leaders have the chance to show they care by asking probing questions and actively listening to understand the audience’s perspective. This is especially critical when you need employees to adopt new behaviors to advance your goals, such as in times of change.

Enhance credibility and trust: Face-to-face situations allow you to share your strategy, explain it clearly, and answer questions honestly. Employees see how actions align with words, which enhances leaders’ credibility and trust.

Build relationships: Interacting directly with other leaders, managers and employees expands your network and establishes shared experience that can enhance future communication. It also helps create a camaraderie that is the basis of cooperation and success across the organization.

 

Disadvantages of Face to Face Communication:

• Difficult to practice in a large-sized organization: Face-to-face communication is extremely difficult to practice in large-sized organizations, particularly if their various units or departments are situated at different places.
• Not effective in large gatherings: It is very difficult to get a message across to large gatherings. Even though the speaker is addressing them face-to-face, the vital personal touch is missing. In the absence of satisfactory feedback, his speech lapse into a monologue.
• Ineffective if the listener is not attentive: A limitation in which the face-to-face communication shares with oral communication are that its effectiveness is closely linked with the listener’s attentiveness. Since human beings can listen to grasp the message faster than the speed at which they are delivered, they will easily get delivered thus making
• communication ineffective.
• Responsibility: No responsibility can be fixed on the part of a speaker or listener as there is no record available for such communication.