人と人とで意思疎通を図ろうとするとき、状況が許すのなら、私は対面での打ち合わせを好む。共有しようとする内容の量と質、また相手との関係性の程度にも依るが、大切な内容をしっかり分かち合おうとするのなら、実際に顔と顔をつきあわせて話をした方が確実で安心だ。電話や、最近ではZOOMを使った打ち合わせも悪くはないが、やはり相手の微妙なリアクションの違いなどを肌で感じておきたい。そういう意味では私は現代的なトレンドにはついていくことができていないのかもしれない。
話し合った内容を文字で記録しておくことは重要だ。人間は“忘れる生き物”であるし、キチンと記録が残っていれば、“言った言わない”の誤解が生じない。書記能力のある人はとても重要だと思う。
しかし、私がメモを取るのが苦手な言い訳をするつもりではなく、記録は何かをド忘れしたときに目を落とすくらいの存在にしておくべきだ。使わなくて済むなら使わない方が良い。つまり基本的には打ち合わせの内容を全て頭に入れるべきだと思う。もちろん1，2時間の全てを記憶することなどは難しいけれど、細部はさておき、大きな懸案項目くらいは憶えておきたい。そんなくらい集中力を上げて、打ち合わせに臨むべきだと言うこと。そうすればその時だけではなく、普段から頭の片隅に課題が居座り、考えを深められることになる。
また反対に考えれば、対面だと自分の仕草や雰囲気なども相手に読み取られるわけで、普通であれば双方の緊張感と集中力も増す。相手に気持ちが入っているかどうかは、生の雰囲気ですぐに分かる。相手が真剣に取り組んでいないことを感じれば、こちらもそこまで気合いを入れる必要はないと思う。私が報酬を払っていただく場合なら、恙なくこなす程度で対応すれば良い。その辺は、私は冷徹かもしれない。仕事にも報酬以上の何か熱いものを求めている。恐らくそれは単なる“仕事”であって、世の中に無駄なことは何一つ無いけれど、私が神さまから授かった使命ではないのだろう。
反対に相手側から私のやる気を上まわってくるような熱い情熱を感じることもある。そんなときは私も負けじと精一杯のことをして差し上げたくなる。滅多にそのパターンには遭遇しないし、だからと言ってそれを「使命」だと認識するわけではないけれど、どんな理由であれ魂を燃やすことができる仕事に巡り合えることは格別だ。
だから私はどういう角度から考えても、対面の打ち合わせが結局最も効率的な手段になると思う。スケジュールの調整や移動手段の問題など、面倒臭いことはいろいろあるけれど、本気で仕事に取り組もうと思ったら、私はまず会ってじっくり話をすることに重きを置く。まぁ、こんなに長くクドクド書かなくても、みんなが肌で感じていて、実践していることだとは思うが。
街を歩いていると、日本だけなのか、まだまだマスクをして歩いている人が多い。医院や薬局ではマスク装着はマストだ。一日も早くマスクがない世界に戻りたい。マスクを取って、文字通り素顔と素顔を突き合わせて、言葉以外のいろんなものを感じながら、語り合いたい。それが人間が交流する基本形だと思う。
メモが上手く取れないんだよね～
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When I am trying to communicate with people, I prefer face-to-face meetings if the situation permits. It depends on the quantity and quality of the content to be shared and the level of the relationship with the other party, but if important content is to be shared, it is more reliable and secure to talk face to face. While telephone or, more recently, ZOOM meetings are not a bad idea, it is important to be able to experience firsthand the subtle differences in the other party’s reactions. In this sense, I may not be able to keep up with modern trends.
It is important to keep a written record of what we discuss. People are “forgetful creatures,” and if there is a clear record of what was said, there will be no misunderstanding about what was said or not said. I think it is very important for people to have the ability to write things down.
However, I do not mean to make excuses for my poor note-taking skills, but records should be kept so that I can look down at them when I forget something. If you don’t have to use them, you shouldn’t. So basically, I think you should have all the details of the meeting in your head. Of course, it is difficult to memorize everything in an hour or two, but I would like to remember at least the major points of concern, putting aside the details. I would say that you should go to the meeting with such a high level of concentration. This way, the issues will stay in the corner of your mind and you will be able to deepen your thinking not only at that time, but also on a regular basis.
On the other hand, if you are meeting face-to-face, your gestures and atmosphere will be read by the other party, which usually increases the tension and concentration on both sides. You can immediately tell from the raw atmosphere whether the other person is feeling the same way. If I sense that the other party is not taking it seriously, there is no need for us to be so worked up. If I am being paid for my services, I should respond in an orderly manner. I may be cool-headed in that area. I am looking for something more than just a reward for my work. Perhaps it is just “work,” and nothing in the world is useless, but it is not a mission given to me by God.
On the other hand, there are times when I feel a passion from the other side that surpasses my motivation. When this happens, I feel compelled to do my utmost to help them. I rarely encounter such a pattern, and that does not mean that I recognize it as a “mission,” but it is exceptional to encounter work that can burn one’s soul, for whatever reason.
So no matter what angle I look at it from, I think that face-to-face meetings end up being the most efficient means. There are many troublesome issues such as scheduling and transportation, but if I am serious about my work, I place a high priority on meeting with the client and having a thorough discussion. Well, I don’t need to go on for too long about this, but I am sure that everyone has experienced this firsthand and is practicing it.
Walking around town, I wonder if it is only in Japan, but there are still many people walking around wearing masks. Wearing masks is a must at doctors’ offices and pharmacies. I want to return to a world without masks as soon as possible. I would like to take off my mask and talk to each other, literally face to face, feeling various things other than words. I think that is the basic form of human interaction.
I can’t take notes very well.