IT leaders remain divided about advantages of face to face communication

The executives and business leaders of yesteryear didn’t have to concern themselves with striking the perfect technological balance between face to face and digital communication channels while managing a workforce, but such is life for the average manager in 2024.

How much Zoom is too much? How many days per week of commuting is a reasonable policy for employees? Is it even possible to truly build a cohesive team over video chat and messenger? These are the types of questions keeping countless business bosses up at night right now. 

Luckily, fascinating and relevant research recently conducted at the University of Eastern Finland and published in the scientific journal Information Technology & People investigated this nuanced and modern work dilemma by interviewing a collection of individuals uniquely qualified to speak on the topic: IT managers. Thanks to their professions and positions, study participants were both highly knowledgeable regarding the latest technologies, and boasted first-hand experience navigating the meteoric rise of digital communication channels in the workplace that has taken place over the past few years. Read on to discover what the investigation revealed.

No consensus yet 

After interviewing 33 of the top managers working at major IT firms in Finland, the research team uncovered that many IT leaders don’t see eye to eye when it comes to the role of digital communication across professional scenarios. Some managers wholeheartedly believe virtually any work task can be completed remotely from the comfort of home thanks to the latest technologies. 

“Some top managers felt that all work tasks can be performed remotely with the help of digital communication. According to them, face-to-face communication is only necessary for maintaining interpersonal relationships and a sense of community,” says Doctoral Researcher Lotta Salin of the University of Eastern Finland in a media release.

Others, meanwhile, maintain certain aspects of organizational success simply can’t be attained without everyone together in the same room. More skeptical leaders pointed to key team building elements like co-development, co-creation, and co-innovation as still requiring face to face interactions. Additional interviewed IT managers argue in-person interactions are integral to both the interpersonal side of work (forming positive relationships with coworkers, developing and maintaining a sense of company community) as well as more cut and dry responsibilities like completing tangible tasks.

Bridging the digital divide

Of course, IT managers didn’t disagree about everything when it comes to digital communications and remote or hybrid work schedules. Study authors report that interviewed managers agreed that maintaining a productive and positive workplace, as well as building a sense of community among colleagues, simply can’t be forgotten as the world transitions more and more toward a digital future.

Since remote work options and digital communications have become the new normal across countless industries over the course of conducting day-to-day business, IT managers recognize that they have to put serious effort into ensuring their workers still feel like they’re part of a team – no matter where they may be clocking in from on that particular day. And, while face-to-face in-person interactions are always going to feel more personal than anything on a screen, most modern managers believe it’s still very possible to build a sense of community using digital communication channels.

“Face-to-face encounters provide opportunities for spontaneous and informal discussions when team members get together for lunch, coffee or company celebrations, for example. However, regular on-camera meetings and the opportunity to see colleagues in real time also creates the experience of being connected,” Salin explains. 

“Having an instant messaging platform where team members can exchange relaxed and informal messages fosters a sense of community. Through video, it is possible to organize activities that boost team spirit, ranging from remote coffee breaks for the team to entertaining video broadcasts aimed at the entire staff.”

Strong management, communication, and community

Every manager, boss, or executive wants to be perceived a certain way by their colleagues and teammates. Even if only on a subconscious level, no one wants to be seen as incompetent or unapproachable. Study authors say developing, strengthening, and maintaining a sense of professional community via communication is now a viable avenue for managers of all kinds to position themselves and their companies for success. 

All in all, the research team at UEF posits their findings indicate the true success of a given manager hinges on far more than simply ensuring everything gets done around the office. Besides just taking care of business, establishing clear lines of communication is vital, whether that means keeping one’s office door open all day long or always responding quickly to digital messages. Communication starts at the top of any organization, and sets the tone for subsequent interpersonal relationships in the workplace.