Summary
In our fast-paced, attention-diverting world, swirling buzzwords compete for our time and our focus. We hypothesize that true productivity - creating outcomes and experiences that align with our mission, values, and goals - is about quality over quantity. And the way to achieve genuine quality is to prioritize humanity, especially in how we communicate. In our session, we challenge conventional wisdom by asserting that bringing the human side to communication is essential for achieving meaningful and sustainable success. We will take the audience through our tried and true best practices to craft effective Slack communications that lead to increased knowledge, improved application, and stronger team connections - with a dose of heart.
Key Insights
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Meaningful communication supports resilience within teams.
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Slack serves as a primary tool for asynchronous communication for global teams.
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Asynchronous communication often lacks the human connection of in-person interaction.
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Clear, concise, and scannable messages are essential for busy knowledge workers.
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Nonverbal communication signals are often lost in written forms, emphasizing the need for tone and empathy.
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Social connection is vital for individual resilience; words carry weight beyond their literal meaning.
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The impact of a message can vary significantly depending on the messenger's role and authority.
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Using interactive features like polls and emojis in Slack can enhance engagement.
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Best practices in message structure can improve clarity and understanding across diverse teams.
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Continuous improvement in communication is essential; feedback and iteration can foster better practices.
Notable Quotes
"We need meaningful and connective communication to thrive as individuals and as a species."
"Human connection is a basic and evolutionary need; without it, we struggle to foster resilience."
"Each time we communicate, we share in the basic need for human connection."
"The words we use should enable clear paths of understanding so recipients know their role."
"It's not just the mind that needs communication to thrive, it's also our very human hearts."
"Communication can either be sustenance or nourishment for you and your teams."
"Everyone almost always knew one another's language in small communities historically."
"To foster engagement, using emojis and gifs can add the tone and body language that are often missed in text."
"Every time we communicate, we are indeed sharing a basic need for human connection."
"It's about how you want your recipients to feel when they receive your message."
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