Technology does a lot of really amazing things. It has facilitated and created massive forward movements in our society. I think that often people view technology on either of two extremes. People love it, craft their life around it, and crave the next devise they can purchase. Others are scared of the negative consequences, screen addiction, or the simple truth that in many ways it makes us live in a virtual world. Like many things in life, the best use of technology lies somewhere in the middle. It is somewhere that cannot be perfectly defined, and is different for every individual.

Tim Cook, Apples CEO recently said, “For all of the beauty of technology and all the things we’ve helped facilitate over the years, nothing yet replaces human interaction, and I don’t think it will ever happen.” I think this is profound and in makes that middle ground a little clearer.

Technology has moved the business world forward in ways that were once unimaginable. Yet, it has not replaced trust between individuals entering a deal together, a friendly front desk interaction, or even the genuine words of a thank you email. I think it is best for us to live in that middle ground with technology. We should embrace the way it makes us, as humans, better. It challenges us and pushes us to levels we used to only dream of, yet, it doesn’t replace the beauty of genuine human interaction.

What are productive ways you leverage technology and still integrate human interaction?