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with the help of TechnologyBusiness leaders today are accomplishing what once took ten months in 10 days. Innovation is happening faster than ever. The pandemic prompted a rapid shift to digital tools, which sped up processes, enabled more people to make better decisions and helped companies stay agile amid greater uncertainty. To keep up, businesses are rushing to adopt new technologies.
In the rush to stay competitive, it can be easy to assume that new technology will fix everything. But communication is more complex. The conditions of Communication has expanded, and our communication needs have changed. Social media and digital platforms Challenged in a big way Face-to-face interactions as a dominant source of social engagement. Now communicating effectively depends on more variables, and how we manage them can have very different results. Effective communication increases productivity, but poor communication can be destructive.
As we move into it A remote and hybrid world, there are ways that technology can facilitate healthy communication. However, some situations will require the effectiveness of meeting face-to-face. The key is to use all available tools and find the right balance to meet each need.
Related: Face-to-face meetings are important for several reasons
Face-to-face communication is more valuable than ever
Before Covid-19, most of us did this Face-to-face interview believe Offices and schools were forced to close in-person meetings due to the lockdown and safety regulations became rare. People worked at home, learned that they liked it, and proved that they could be more productive. now, Most employees Some degree of flexibility is desired, and in-person interactions are unlikely to return to their pre-pandemic popularity.
But humans, as social beings, thrive in the right group environment. Connection with loved ones and colleagues has a positive effect Our mental well-being and face-to-face communication best fulfill those needs for social connection. There is personal communication Usually the most effective A method of strengthening or repairing connections and developing relationships. Have a positive company culture Be decisive Attracting and retaining talent, however, is more complex than digital media.
Leaders and employees can easily fall into the trap of answering emails and chats, neglecting face time with specific team members. In a recent survey, a Top reasons Employees quit remote or hybrid jobs and how disconnected they felt from the company. Most executive respondents agreed that their remote team members were at a disadvantage in culture and engagement.
When everyone is responsible for using the most effective communication method in a given situation, leaders can be more intentional about enabling team communication that keeps more people engaged.
Related: 5 Things You Need to Bridge the Gap Between In-Person and Remote Meetings
The best method enhances communication
Effectiveness determines what type of digital tools to use Communication And what situations require face-to-face or face-to-face discussions. Swear face to face, we need to consider the best way to communicate to achieve our desired goals and choose the method that is most productive. For some people, long periods of silence during a difficult meeting can make them uncomfortable and fill the space with light-hearted humor. Others may appreciate the silence for a moment to collect their thoughts.
Team members will have different communication preferences, so to best connect with our intended audience, leaders can be proactive in getting to know them. Be direct: Express how you want communication to be received and model the same behavior in communicating with others. Invite them to be direct in turn about the type of communication that works best with them. Then, be intentional. Pause and reflect on the most effective form of communication for a given person to improve their ability to control their reactions. Think of the message you want to send first and let the method follow.
To deliver messages that count, we must be prepared deliver them. The additional training of having meaningful personal conversations can be a struggle. We may need to do additional work or take additional input before meeting in person. When I have a difficult message, I write it in bullet points and, instead of rushing to send it to chat, save it and go back to review it another day. If I still feel that way about the message, I plan my approach to deliver it in a way that is likely to resonate.
Often, we miss face-to-face time because we have little time to spare, and chat is a much faster way to communicate, even on the go, but some situations call for something more personal. Instant messaging is generally not the best solution for serious conversations, constructive coaching, or apologies. Some situations warrant looking into the other person’s eyes and seeing how our message is received. The best way to communicate a message may not always be the one we are most comfortable with, but it should be the one that best facilitates reaching the end we want to achieve.
Related: How effective employee communication increases productivity