Why communication is the top skill for online work
Working from home, at COVID-19 times, has moved from being a privilege to a need.
A Fluentpulse research done in May 2020 says that “59% of the people currently working from home would continue to do so once restrictions are lifted and offices reopen“. As companies adopted digital tools, the most essential skill for success online became clear: communication.
What research says about online collaboration
According to two Canadian professors, what makes the difference is the workers’ skills. In 2019 Roberta Sawatzky from the Okanagan College School of Business, and Nathan J. Sawatzky published an academic paper on the necessary competencies for success in a virtual environment. They went on a tour of coworking spaces and remote work meetups and through surveys, interviews, and data analysis they discovered the essential skills for a successful virtual workplace. Communication was the top one.
Roberta and Nathan share that “in every conversation over the course of the research, respondents stated that excellent communication skills are vital and nonnegotiable for success as a remote worker… particularly written communication“. They underline the critical importance of accuracy when communicating, to avoid ambiguity and therefore misunderstandings.
How remote communication has changed
As employees, it is important to understand that dynamics are different when working from home. Before we just got up and looked for our colleague or met someone in the kitchen to exchange ideas, insights, or questions. Now we need to reach out to our colleagues digitally and we have to consider the possibility that we will not receive an answer to our messages or our calls right away. It could take some time and it’s important to respect that time.
We were also used to exchanging knowledge and foster collaboration between colleagues not only through official meetings, but it was also happening spontaneously during lunch or coffee time, during breaks, or when meeting in the kitchen or communal areas. Right now this in-person interaction is happening to the minimum if not at all. As a company, it is important to be aware of this and find ways to foster this exchange in different ways. As employees, it is crucial to remember it and find ways to exchange information in as many ways as possible.
How to communicate effectively online
- Choose the right channel: not every message needs an email or a call. Match the tool to the urgency and tone of your message.
- Consider emotional context: use video calls for sensitive topics or decisions. Written messages can miss emotional cues.
- Be clear and concise: write with precision and avoid ambiguity. Assume less context and give more clarity.
- Respect response time: remote communication isn’t always instant. Give others time to read, think, and respond.
- Be intentional: reflect before you send. Ask: Is this the right tone? Is it clear? Is it needed?
What we’re learning about virtual work
We are starting to work in a more time-sensitive matter, paying more attention to how much time we are spending in online conversations. To avoid the so-called “Zoom fatigue” we are learning to keep away, when possible, from unnecessary meetings and hours after hours of online calls. Many people are also discovering that to get things done, we do not need to discuss as much as we were doing before.
Not having colleagues and managers nearby and always available, forces us as well to deal by ourselves with smaller but also bigger issues which, through time this creates a stronger sense of independence and self-confidence.
ASK YOURSELF
– What’s your preferred way to get in touch with your co– workers? How has that changed through time?
– Which aspects of the communication with your colleagues or team has improved in the past year?
– How do you choose the kind of communication and the tools to use when getting in touch with your colleagues?
