JUST PICK UP THE PHONE

When it comes to communicating with colleagues, you have a lot of options these days: text, Slack, Zoom, phone, email. 

So which way is best?

There’s no denying the ease of written communications. Text-based interactions are often simpler and more efficient, and they enable the other person to respond at their leisure. If you’re sending a straightforward message, a quick update, or an attachment, then emails and texts are the way to go. 

But if you need to catch up with a colleague about something important or talk through a difficult situation, consider an old-fashioned phone call. New research shows that verbal communication actually helps us feel more connected to the person we’re talking to.

And while we may have the technology to videoconference, seeing other people’s faces doesn’t make us feel any more connected to them than just hearing their voice. Sure, talking on the phone might feel awkward at first, but the benefits will outweigh that initial discomfort.