Attending a meeting is an excellent opportunity to share information, expand your learning and make connections with others. Sometimes we would like to believe face to face meetings are not necessary. But there is still an incredibly important value of in-person meetings. Many people complain about the value of meetings and lament the fact that meeting simply waste valuable time. However, there is, without a doubt, benefits and positive reasons for holding a meeting. Because the idea that meetings are important can be a controversial topic let's look at a few reasons why we should value the opportunity to hold meetings.
Meetings allow for real-time, direct sharing of ideas
Yes, I have heard people exclaim that a virtual chat room can accomplish the same goals as an in-person meeting, however, if you acknowledge that a discussion is more than just verbal communication Reading people is hard if you're only typing into a chat. I wrote a post previously on why the art of reading people is important and how to do it well. In fact, I've seen stats as high as 90% of meetings are non-verbal. You lose all of that if you do not meet in person. If you're only typing into a chat, first you have no face-to-face ability as I just mentioned where you can learn more than what is typed. This is important to being successful.
Meetings encourage focused participation
Of course even in meetings where you're in the same room with people you can find ways to disengage and lose your focus, but the probability is much higher that when in a physical meeting with another person (or group of people) you will spend a higher percentage of your time actively engaged with those you are with. If you're sitting at your computer for a meeting I guarantee you there will be at least a half-dozen other items demanding your attention. You'll lose your focus and be out of a conversation before you even realize it. This drastically decreases your involvement, your participation, and ultimately the effectiveness of your communication. Believe it or not, no matter how hard you try to convince everyone you can multi-task, it's simply not true; and your meeting participants will know you're not focused.
Meetings are part of the human DNA
Obviously we can't point to a very specific gene but there have been studies on the value of meetings related to our genetic makeup and chemistry and they have attempted to quantify this through the use of biochemistry and hormones. It's an interesting concept. As humans we appreciate contact, connections, and communication. Regardless of the actual hormone and biological or chemical triggers which are fired as a result of meeting people the outcome is still very much the same. The value of a handshake (or other culturally accepted greeting) may never be quantified scientifically but I'm sure we can all agree there is an intrinsic feeling of value placed on that connection.
Meetings mean opportunity for informal conversations
Many times virtual meetings, chats, and other conversations which are not held in a face-to-face meeting are recorded. This essentially means everything being said, or shared, is being copied, or recorded, and ability to be referenced, reviewed, and re-read for all eternity to come. We all understand the internet never forgets. People do. When you meet in person with someone you are able to be yourself even more. You can feel more comfortable knowing you are not going to be forever held accountable to what's said or shared. Of course I'm not saying you'll share wrong information but you'll be more at-ease and you'll be able to connect with others more effectively.
Meetings encourage personal growth
What's the easiest thing to do? The easiest thing (for most of us) is to slouch comfortably in front of a computer and type our responses. We don't have to be conscientious about our clothing, our appearance, or something else. Some don't enjoy speaking in public or speaking with others, the human connection is difficult for you. Meetings held in-person encourage personal growth. You will force yourself to become better, to present yourself effectively, and to focus on someone else. You will become a better person and better communicator. Yes, it might be difficult but meetings encourage personal growth. I trust that these are somewhat compelling benefits for in-person meetings. You'll find personal benefits as well as professional benefits come from holding face-to-face meetings. So the next time you're tempted to skip out on an opportunity to meet in person, be bold, put some clothes on and venture out into the world and hold your meeting in a true in-person meeting.