In our online environment, we have been pushed to communicate with each other in new ways. The quick onset of the pandemic moved us into a virtual space without the time to reflect on what we may be losing without in-person communication, or to discover strategies of how best to stay connected with our colleagues in the ‘next normal’.
One major change that people have reported is their working relationships becoming increasingly siloed. According to Microsoft’s Annual Work Trend Index, since the onset of the pandemic, employees are having fewer interactions with those outside of their direct working group. These diminishing social networks within organizations can lead to a lack of innovation and productivity due to the lack of support and collaboration that existed prior to the pandemic.
Research has also found that this effect is even more significant for newer and younger employees who have struggled to connect with their coworkers and establish their voice within the social dynamics of their team and organization.
Though returning to the office may remedy some of these issues, it is not the only solution. The negative effects of exclusively virtual contact have carried over to in-person work and have changed the way we are communicating right now.
Our own Radiant team has noticed changes in the ways that we communicate as we adapt to a hybrid work model. Whether it’s long pauses in conversations or less willingness to speak up and respond to what a colleague is saying, it can be difficult to return to the ease of conversation that we felt in the pre-COVID world.
Research has also found that this effect is even more significant for newer and younger employees who have struggled to connect with their coworkers and establish their voice within the social dynamics of their team and organization.
So how can we bounce back from exclusively virtual communication? How can we make the transition between online and face-to-face communication smoother?
Just because we have made it work throughout the pandemic doesn’t mean we are communicating in the most effective manner!
Now that we are starting to safely return to the office, it is time for organizations to take the time to focus on building stronger social networks, highly collaborative teams, and better communication.
How can this be done?
Even the most masterful communicators can struggle to connect and work with those around them. This can be due to the variations and complexities in the people around us and their communication styles. Within any team there are those who are more outspoken and extraverted, to those who are more reserved and introverted, and many others in between. We all have a unique way that we understand and interact with others.
To navigate this, you can work to understand your own communication style, strengths, and limitations. In doing so, not only will you have greater self-awareness, but a greater ability to form strong working relationships with your colleagues.
What Radiant is doing to help.
One way you can build self-awareness of your communication style is by participating in an assessment process that measures how you communicate. At Radiant, we offer a suite of assessment tools that can help you determine your communication style as well as opportunities to lean into your strengths and to address gaps.
If you or your team would like to take a free communications assessment, please visit us at www.radiantfuture.com .
Jennifer Collins is CEO of Radiant. Learn more about their assessment services.