Yes, face-to-face is better, although I am one of those whose interpersonal skills need help. I tend to chicken out via voice/email.

Am a keyboard player - Recently had a situation on our team, where our leader questioned how I was working with our singers. A few days after I had left a phone message asking for a one-on-one rehearsal with her, he reminded me of her family and other commitments, telling me to let our singers choose their own material (we were going to work on her suggested song, and one other that I had recommended to her) and to let them do solos 'their own way'. All because I wanted to meet with the singer outside of our group rehearsal, to establish things like the structure and key of the song. Am still wondering how he found out about the voicemail I left for the singer.

When I finally got around to meeting with the singer, I found that active listening helped - I asked her if she was feeling pressured from me or others on our team, and she responded, expressing her support of my rehearsal methods, despite the other person's questioning. Seems our leader called her, and told her that her trouble was "not being able to tell people no".

Cleared the air, and made me feel much better...