Maximize your work from home communication

Everyone is different. To say that you’re good at communicating well with everyone you work with may be a little bit of a stretch. Right now, being away from your coworkers is an adjustment. Do you remember being in an office? You could be standing in front of just about any coworker’s desk by walking less than 50 feet. Those days are gone for a little while. These days you may be texting, Slacking, Zooming, or calling a coworker to keep in touch. If you want to remain being a good communicator, think about these three things…

Body language: Sometimes words say one thing, while body language tells a different story. You may say yes and your face says no. Pay attention to mixed messages. Sometimes it’s hard to say no even when you really want to. And even though you may not be in the same room as your coworkers right now, if you’re video chatting, they can still see your body language. Also, here’s a basic tip for you. There are certain times in group Zoom chats that you need to mute your mic or turn off your video for a second. I shouldn’t need to explain what these times are, but just remember that there are certain times when this is VERY important.

Keep your promises: If you say you’re going to do something, just do it. Failing to come through on a promise will make you seem untrustworthy and unreliable. This isn’t a tip that’s specific to working from home, but it’s just as important now as it’s always been.

Crank your listening dial to 11: Not everyone prefers to communicate in the same way. Some people like emails and some like phone calls. But no matter how you’re communicating, focus on listening (or reading). When it’s your turn to reply, take your time and respond to what you’ve heard before adding your own information.

Some people may enjoy this time of social distancing, but for some it’s tough. Just remember that even the most introverted are probably ready to get outside and socialize. We’re all in this together. Enjoy the time you get to spend communicating, no matter the medium.

John Pettit

John Pettit

John Pettit is the Managing Editor for CUInsight.com. Through news, community, press, jobs and events, he keeps credit unions digitally informed throughout the day. Web: www.cuinsight.com Details