As part of The EMPATHY Method Self-Assessment I share with new coaching clients, I ask them to map their most recent workday listing what their Communication Moments were, from the time they got up to the time they went to bed.
While a simple way to boost someone’s self-awareness about how they communicate, unfortunately, the responses to this question are nearly identical time after time.
The day starts with e-mails, moves on to video calls via Teams or Zoom, more e-mails, instant messages are sent via Teams and Slack and WhatsApp, e-mails are replied to, there is a meeting or two, an infrequent 1-2-1 conversation, with the day winding down with more instant messages.
The story is eerily familiar. Here are a few verbatim quotes from coaching conversations I have had recently:
“It’s never ending isn’t it, one Teams meeting merges with the next, there is no time to plan and improve.”
“Same as everyone. Electronic communication either by phone or computer.”
“Phone calls have gone out of fashion haven’t they. I would have a phone call, but I’d set it up by sending a message first.”
It really does not have to be like this.
The next question in the EMPATHY Self-Assessment asks what habits, processes or systems to help you communicate better are missing?
You can probably guess common answers.
“Less e-mail.”
“More impromptu conversations.”
“More face to face and real-life meetings.”
“I’d walk across the room to go and see someone and have a chat or even go to the next floor.”
I see it again and again.
People are crying out for genuine connection and don’t want to be just an extension of their computers.
I’d predict that your communication through a workday is very similar in rhythm and that the changes you’d make would also be along these lines.
What these small and easy to implement changes suggested here would do is start to build a little bit more human connection into your day. It wouldn’t be a huge burden on your time but a targeted investment to improve.
The result: you are going to get more stuff done, not less, as by communicating better you inform, influence and inspire the people that matter.
Give it a go. It’s time to innovate yourself. Keep a log of your communication today.
Then tomorrow, make a change that improves how you communicate.