The medium can be as important as the message. As more and more of workplace interactions shift virtual, it is becoming ever more important to be mindful of the communication choices we make — and their possible unintended consequences.

But when it comes to yes/no decisions, we found that group deliberation actually reduced the likelihood of making the correct choice. In other words, even when deliberation produces more accurate estimates, if the group then votes on the simple yes-or-no decisions related to those questions — i.e., Will this product launch on time?, Will we overrun our budget?, or Will this candidate meet our standards? — they are actually less likely to make the correct decision.

We recently spoke to a CEO who was feeling anxious about public speaking in the hybrid office. “When I give presentations now, it’s simple. Everyone’s on Zoom,” he told us. “What happens when some people go back while others still work from home?”

Once you know something, it can be difficult to take the perspective of someone who doesn't. This phenomenon, known as the curse of knowledge, can lead to miscommunication, conflict, and professional stumbles. To avoid this pitfall, one should slow down, think about what their audience needs to know, and try to catch themselves making assumptions.