In the business of Architecture, communication is key. In my youth one of the gifts I received from my Mom was the obversion of the Telephone. In my 20’s and 30’s, I would do anything to avoid the phone. I’m not always sure why I hesitated to use the phone. Could be something to do with having to express myself in real time without reading the body language of the other person.

As I moved up the ladder and became a Project Manager, I could no longer avoid the phone. In the early 1990’s the telephone was the common way to communicate. I would put off that phone call as long as I could. I never had issues with meeting people or being part of meeting. But that phone, it was demon possessed. I’m sure we all have our things we would not be doing, such as going to the Doctor. But let’s not digress here.

One of the alternates to the phone was the FAX machine. This was great for getting a sketch, idea or letter to the client or consultants almost immediately. Then began the integration of scan/fax to the computer. How many of you remember the software WinFAX. This was great, I knew what I sent and when. No more relying on confirmation sheets, I could manage and resend right from my computer. So, I could reduce my phone calls by maybe 5%. But typically, I had to follow up a FAX with a phone call. In reality, I was increasing my phone activity by 20%. I remember when my office got it’s first FAX machine. Mid 1980’s, and my boss made a comment “The FAX is just a fad. It will never last, there is nothing so urgent that you take it to your client”. While the FAX may be a thing of the past, it wasn’t a fad, but I understand what he was saying. It only took me 20 years to get it, spend the time face to face with your client.

But as with anything, my phone skills were improving, and I no longer avoided it. It became an important tool to get the project done. Then came the internet and email. What a wonderful tool. You could write exactly what you needed to communicate without waiting on the other person. Now keep in mind, I am not an introvert. If you know me, I have the gift of gab, but something about reading people makes it easy. But the phone… OK, let’s get off the phone for the moment and stay on point.

As email picked up usage, the phone got a little quieter. This has been a common trend that email is the preferred method of communicating in today’s world of architecture. It keeps a record of what was said and when it was said. But there is a large missing piece to email. The tone of the other person. Or even my tone may not be understood. If I’m reading something I may get that they are frustrated and lack a sense of urgency. But in reality, none of that could be true and it can become the first step in miscommunicating.

It takes all of the tools to get the complete idea and intent out there. Email is good, real face to face meeting are great (just time consuming and time is a luxury we don’t seem to have much of lately). GoToMeetings with webcams another good tool. But the phone is still just as important. How times have change, my go to method is a quick phone call. I get an answer in real time. No misreading how the other person feels about what is being discussed. If I could time travel and tell younger me that he would like the phone, he probably would break out in a cold sweat and faint.

…and now for something completely different.
Bolts of lightning can shoot out of an erupting volcano.