Executive coach discusses benefits of face-to-face interaction between executives, employees

In Chief Executive (July/August 2008), Kevin Daley, founder of Communispond Inc. and senior member of the company's executive coaching and training staff, writes that while "new technologies have made it possible for executives to communicate instantly with the entire workforce, the most effective way to express their personal passion for their message is by interacting with employees face-to-face."

Although some "chief executives remain isolated and insulated, the executive who leads live and in person is fully engaged and seizes every opportunity to have flesh-and blood, from-the-heart interactions with the workforce." Daley adds that, "regrettably, too few chief executives are leaving the comfort of the office to meet with employees" in person, which "is unfortunate because full engagement with the workforce provides enormous payoffs."

For instance, "the organization's goals and strategy are conveyed credibly and without ambiguity because they come straight from the horse's mouth." Meanwhile, "feedback on workforce attitudes, problems, and opportunities comes through unfiltered."