Morning Coffee: Being Face to Face in a Digital World
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One edge in an AI world is working on building your network in person. For now, the AI’s can’t be in person for you. Shaking hands, giving hugs, getting into deep, unstructured (longer then 30/60 min increments) conversations.
From Byron Gilliam (Blockworks):
“Researchers have even used GPS data from Silicon Valley to quantify the effect of chance encounters on innovation, finding “substantial returns to face-to-face meetings.”
It’s easy to imagine why this might be the case.
To cite just one pitfall with remote work, 25% of the emojis we send are misinterpreted by the recipient, often in the opposite way they were intended.
How long would Steve Wozniak have put up with Steve Jobs if any portion of their communication happened by text message?”
It’s worth considering the impacts of the above on your business.
In analyzing the business of coaching and consulting remotely with founders, I noticed a few pitfalls:
30-60 Min structure (Time locked)
Digital/Remote (No IRL element)
Individual (Not-networked)
I started feeling these limitations to this most after building a larger in person community in 2022. Because my network was not local, I was spending more time traveling to see them, or meeting up in different locations, with multiple people. This created a different level of conversation and also a feeling of depth of friendship.
I started looking at what it could mean to break from these structures →
1 Day, 3 Days together? Having unstructured time.
In Person vs. Digital
In Community vs. Individuals
The point is to look at ways in which you can increase innovation and connection through IRL time that today can feel “inefficient.” I’ve put in more of an effort to create the above, however, naturally, I feel the pull of gravity back towards individuation and remote/digital life.
Despite wanting to stay in, though, I come back to the benefits.
What do you get from IRL networks?
A business partner of mine recently got an incredible new home. I was envious of his lush backyard and pool overlooking the water. He told me, “Now I never have to leave the house.” I agreed with that sentiment, semi-jokingly, semi-serious. I told him,
“This sums up the 2020’s in a nutshell.”
Except that if we can push counter to the gravity and comfort of being home “alone” even if digitally together, there are substantial benefits. I believe part of what constitutes “work” today is overcoming tech-inertia meant to keep you endlessly looping on poor quality digital content.
Being in person with people is nourishing for both your business and your personal life. Giving you…
The feeling of connection and community
Opportunities and Depth of Opportunities
Practicing teaching and skillsets that are off-screen
And of course it can feel slightly risky to put yourself out there in this way. But that risk, and friction comes with reward.
Where and when can you decide to change an online meeting to offline this week?
Where can you call a friend to plan a get together rather than a catch up? Maybe there’s a way to rally people together in person who might otherwise stay separated and isolated?
Let me know how you’re thinking about this in the comments,
xx David
Luckily for us, it feels easy to meet IRL in ATX (unlike other cities–thinking of LA). It's always worth it though.