Steve Jobs on the Importance of Face-to-Face Meetings (Even in the Age of iPhones)

2.46 billion people used social networks in 2018, and that number is expected to continue to grow each year. With the ever-increasing use of smartphones and the opportunities for online networking, it’s easy to think we’re shifting away from in-person meetings.

But Steve Jobs, inventor of the iPhone, knew a long time ago that face-to-face meetings would never go out of style. “There’s a temptation in our networked age to think that ideas can be developed by email and iChat. That’s crazy. Creativity comes from spontaneous meetings, from random discussions.”

As it turns out, Jobs was onto something. According to a study by Great Business Schools, 84% of people still say they prefer in-person meetings, confirming what Steve Jobs already knew: that people have to be in a room together to really get the ideas flowing.

And it’s no surprise why. Here are five reasons face-to-face meetings matter.

1. Clearly communicating goals and objectives.

Face-to-face meetings allow for clearer communication. In addition to being able to read facial expressions, body language, and inflection, in-person meetings often end up being more positive, and considered more credible than online or virtual conversations.

Without non-verbal cues, you also run the risk of misinterpreting information. In fact, 60% of people regularly misread tone or message when communicating via email or phone, according to this infographic put together by Entrepreneur.

What does that mean? Talking trumps typing.

2. Bonding and building relationships.

No matter how much we may like social networking, in-person interactions are at the very core of relationship building, both personally and professionally. In fact, 85% of people believe face-to-face meetings contribute to stronger, more meaningful…