the more diverse your audience, the more you have to adjust the way you present

Give your full attention. Don’t speak (until later). Share back what they’ve said. Ask open-ended questions.

One of the big questions many leaders are facing now is: how can we meaningfully communicate, collaborate, and connect in a hybrid (or remote) environment?

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.

Mounting evidence shows that exposure to nature—walking through the woods, observing a beautiful sunset, or simply tending to a plant—improves our psychological and physical health. Nature is also good for our social well-being.

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.

Public speaking is one thing. Public speaking on Zoom comes with a whole new dimension of challenges, especially if you get nervous about presenting. From potential technical issues to being unable to rely on non-verbal cues from your audience, it’s easy to break a sweat about all the things that could go wrong while giving a virtual talk. But what if you could not only manage your performance anxiety but also learn how to enjoy public speaking on Zoom calls?

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.

Video tools take a toll on both kinds of personalities—sometimes in surprising ways

“On Zoom, behavior ordinarily reserved for close relationships — such as long stretches of direct eye gaze and faces seen close up — has suddenly become the way we interact with casual acquaintances, co-workers, and even strangers,” he writes.

For the first time in the organization’s 102-year history, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) 2021 annual convention was held virtually. More than 8,000 people registered for the online event, surpassing attendance records of all prior in-person annual conventions.

Misunderstandings are rampant in today’s workplaces. While poor communication habits may feel inevitable with colleagues, we should always strive to engage with clarity and empathy, especially as we come to rely more on remote work and digital communication. What is a good first step to improving our habits? Relearning what it means to read carefully and write clearly.

It was an unusual confession from a CEO. “During my last staff meeting we must have spent 40% of the time talking about nothing,” Jorge said. “We were just hanging out, shooting the breeze, like the old days. It was one of the most enjoyable, productive calls we’ve had since we shut the office.”

Here are five ways to increase your ability to have meaningful conversations...

The benefits of waiting.

Are you a good listener? Most of us aren’t that great at listening, we prefer to be heard and validated. Yet, so do others. Here’s a primer on listening carefully.Are you a good listener? Most of us aren’t that great at listening, we prefer to be heard and validated. Yet, so do others. Here’s a primer on listening carefully.

When we work together for the good of another, we all are better for it.