I’ve written this policy down, and provide a link to it at the bottom of my emails. You might like to add an indication of which medium suits you best and when: calls, texts, FB messages, and so on.
Beyond that, your policy needs to consider how you’ll handle inevitable workplace difficulties, such as competition between colleagues; hoarding of information; hierarchies that smother open exchange; fear of failure, and of conflict.
3.) Don’t feel sorry for yourself
When we get stuck in the “poor me” bubble we lose any sense of connection with others and meaningful communication ends.
Catch yourself when you fall into this and focus on other people instead. (I know — you really don’t want to, but if you don’t, nothing will change.
4.) Stop gossiping
If you have something negative to say about your client on social media, there’s probably something you need to say to them directly.
Find a way to say it out of a genuine desire to help: try to remember that you are in collaboration. So don’t tell them they’re wrong, or bad.
Just explain your own difficulty and ask them to help you find an answer.
5.) Listen better
Many people, instead of listening, are too busy planning what they intend to say next. The person who is speaking will always know, at some level, if you aren’t listening.
Instead of pretending it hasn’t happened, say, “I’m sorry, I lost concentration for a second, could you repeat that?”
6.) Be honest
Similarly, if something feels awkward — like meeting that Tinder friend in the office — it can be delightful to say so out loud because you’re probably both feeling it.
Clear the air.
John-Paul Flintoff runs From faxes to Facebook: How to communicate better at work on March 8, 2016 at Mindshare bigideas.inmidtown.org
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