The Rhythm of Communication

I have always enjoyed studying patterns of communication between people and how it’s changed over time. When I first started working, the phone rang a lot more. Now, it’s the ping of a text message that causes a distraction.

While we can reach just about anyone instantaneously, this increase of electronic communication has created complexities that didn’t exist five years ago, let alone within the last century. Without facial cues and tone, we are left to decipher the other elements of communicating using nuanced cues that are all too often based on our own mental state than the sender’s.

Here are a few thoughts I have on how to avoid some of the common pitfalls people make when communicating online. 

Don't hide behind the text

Text, Whatsapp, email, Facebook Messenger and other non-voice forms of communication can be extremely effective ways of passing short snippets of information without intruding. But be careful not to hide behind them. When things get confusing or becomes a game of ‘text tennis’, stop typing and…

Pick up the phone

Sometimes, picking up the phone for a quick chat is faster and more efficient. I think this is an effective strategy to get to the bottom of an issue before it spirals out of control.

Don't under communicate

If I’m being chased on something, chances are I am probably under communicating. While what is important to someone else may not be important to you, I always try to put myself in the shoes of others and then try to tailor my communication accordingly. Remember, if the key to communication is so that the receiver understands you, then your message should be presented in a manner that they can most effectively ‘hear’.

Be mindful

Be mindful of who you’re communicating with and what information you’re trying to convey. I use a lot of group chat streams, and while it may be easiest for me to send a broadcast message to everyone, the reality is the information I’m conveying may need to be presented more delicately. While some of us can text at the speed of light, we still need to slow down and think about the best way to convey information. Consider if you’re replying to just cross something off your to-do list or whether you’re aiming for an authentic, meaningful message. When possible, I try to avoid clichés and commonly used phrases.  

Personally, I love having so many different communication tools at my disposal, but ultimately, communication is about the transfer of information from one person to another, and the words we use are only part of the story.