Make a point to have face-to-face communication

"Face-to-face conversations immerse us in a continuous multichannel sensory experience—only a fraction of which can be transferred via text or video message. Communicating solely through technology robs us of the richer neurological effects of in-person interactions and their potential to alleviate feelings of loneliness and depression."

I couldn't have said it better myself.  You can read all about this in a recent WSJ article entitled, "Why Personal Tech is Depressing."  But don't just read about it.  Make a point to seek out face-to-face communication.

Isn't it more fun to BE in a parade than to watch one on tv?

Isn't it more fun to be there in person when someone you admire speaks than to just watch them on a youtube video on your phone?

When a board frequently makes decisions by conference call, aren't they more bonded to the organization and each other when they meet in person every so often?

Face-to-face communication takes more time and effort to arrange.  But it's worth it.

"Make certain you can convey your points to a child."

Public communication vs doctor-patient communication:  are they really that different?  Does public communication improve someone's ability to communicate with a patient?

MedPage Today recently discussed this in an article entitled Can Answering a Reporter's Questions Make You a Super Communicator?"

Talking to the press and public speaking are two very different things but the advice given to professionals about to talk to a reporter is also useful to someone who is about to speak in front of a live audience.

When speaking in public it is important to be able to simplify your message.  The best advice from this article came at the end.  To quote cardiologist Dr. Clyde Yancy, "...make certain that you are able to convey your points to a child; if you can't make a child understand your message, it's not the message, it's you."

Strive to be like Clyde Yancy, and my own family's Otolaryngologist, Dr. Jeffrey Leider, pictured above. Remember to speak simply and clearly, as if a child is your audience.  As you become more adept speaking to reporters or in front of live audiences, your communication will improve in other settings as well.