Why In Person Beats Digital Every Time

If you knew that having a 1–1 conversation with someone would help solve a major challenge in your life, how far would you go to make that conversation happen?

That’s what happened to me this last week.

A while back a mentor of mine told me I needed to connect with a successful speaker named, Greg Offner. Greg is a former sales executive who for years had a successful side gig as a dueling piano bar singer/pianist.

He travels the world combining music with his signature keynote to deliver memorable messages about creating dynamic work environments. He is immensely talented, kind, and very good at what he does.

Because I also use music as a way to teach audiences about The Influence Mindset, my mentor said I needed to see him in action.

The only problem was, Greg was speaking on a date that was inconvenient, and at a location that required a flight across the country.

However because I knew the power of what happens when people meet face to face, I bit the bullet and made the effort to go.

I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy.

The day of…none of my travel plans worked. Delayed flights, and re-routed connections now forced me to consider exorbitantly expensive car rentals.

Those alone would have given me plenty of reasons to cancel.

In addition to those challenges I now faced running through airports, and several hours of pushing the legal driving limits on long stretches of highway…

I could have easily backed out and told myself it was the smart thing to do.

Cancelling would have been a reasonable response.

But I was committed and invested, and so there was no turning back.

Finally after twists and turns and every obstacle imaginable… I made it and was finally in the room watching the magic happened.

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Its one thing to hear someone is skilled, but quite another to watch them (in person) put those skills to create remarkable results.

Because nothing beats being in the room where it happens.

After the event, Greg was gracious with his time and we chatted for several hours over dinner.

And I can honestly say, that conversation was one of the most important ones of my career.

Not just because of Greg’s kindness and skills as a communicator, but also because I had sacrificed to be in the frame of mind to observe, ask questions, and learn.

It turns out you ask better questions when you’ve sacrificed to ask them.

What does this have to do with influence and success?

In this age of AI, automations, and spam emails it seems we are forgetting the true power and chemistry that comes from connecting with people in-person.

Meeting face to face is something that all the technology in the world cannot replace, and the results are more impactful, meaningful, and lasting.

Can you recall a meaningful email someone has sent you? Or can you more easily recall a meaningful conversation you’ve had with someone face to face?

Which had more of an impact in your life?

I know which has changed mine. When it comes to influence, in person beats digital every time.

So, as you think about your goals and obstacles, is there someone you need to meet with who can point you in the right direction?

What if instead of emailing, you picked up the phone and called?

Even better, what if you set up a time to take them to lunch and meet in person?

If you make a sacrifice to put yourself in the room and build a genuine connection with someone, you’ll be surprised.

Even though it may cost time…

Even though it may cost money to buy the flight or make the drive…

Not only will your questions be better, but you’ll find your life to be richer than before.

That’s the curious power of in person relationships. They make you wealthier than the sacrifice it takes to make them.

Who do you need to meet in person this month?

Christian

CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the 2X #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want to stand out and be the obvious choice. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com