What are some effective tools and strategies for online collaboration and communication?

Effective online collaboration relies on using tools such as Zoom, Slack, Trello, and Google Workspace (and others) for video conferencing, real-time messaging, task management, and document sharing. Ensuring equity in access and proficiency of all users is vital. Additionally, essential strategies include routine team check-ins, clearly defined communication channels, explicit roles and responsibilities, comprehensive documentation, and structured feedback loops to enhance communication and connection. Training on these tools and adopting flexible work policies are also crucial, allowing teams to efficiently adapt to diverse working styles and time zones in remote environments. Leadership must model and support these approaches.

I would add that you will be well served to avoid "hybrid" situations in which some people are online and others are in person (for example on Zoom or Google meet) which inevitably creates a power differential. More about suggested norms that I have found helpful below.

When meeting online, I highly suggest you establish norms (some of which are implied in the write up above) and actually ask for agreement from all attendees to abide by them. For example, one of the norms I ask for is "pretend we are in person"-- i.e. no side bar conversations in "chat" -- if you have something to say, say it to all of us. Another is be present, and if you are having trouble staying present, SAY something instead of checking your email or social media feeds on the sly.

There is a big difference between values in action and "espoused values". You might want to periodically stop and ask everyone to what extent you all believe you are LIVING your values in the way you each show up. And if some are doing so and others aren't, make it OK to name that, and discuss what is getting in the way of those who aren't (including making it OK to say "I'm just not bought into that" and moving toward a problem solving conversation from there (so, what shall we do about that?)

We are experiencing a void in communication education. Lack of communication education, the ability to actively listen, understand the role of nonverbal communication in message meaning, and the importance of painting a mental picture in the receiver's mind with a well-articulated message are just some examples that need to be taught in our education system from k-12 thru college. When more than one person is involved, everything begins and ends with communication. That is the power of communication when it is understood and applied correctly and consistently. www.victorvogel.com/communication-coaching-connection.

I completely agree with Victor Vogel AND I would add that what you say is not necessarily what someone else hears-- so, checking that what you heard/meant is what I said/meant before moving ahead is a crucial first step which most people don't stop long enough to consider doing.

I suggest you see my work on "Pinches" before Crunches about which I posted and which is covered extensively in my book and many of my podcasts (the latter can be heard/seen for free at www.connectandrelate.com. The bottom line is the longer you wait, the bigger the issue often gets and the harder it is to resolve, AND, sometimes starting the conversation with what makes it hard to raise in the first place can create the needed safety. If I am doing something that upsets you and you don't tell me, what am I likely to do? Yes, keep doing it! And if I did something that upset you and you never told me, not only will I probably do it again, you never even give me a chance to learn something that could benefit us both!