Communication was tough even at the best of times. It has now become tougher in the remote working world. Let’s face it, we miss human interaction, sharing the physical space, bumping into colleagues in the office and much more.
It’s obvious that this pandemic will stay here for some time, and, given the experiences of the last year, workplaces will continue to evolve into hybrid blends of working. Therefore, finding ways to improve crucial conversations is necessary.
In this blog, we will discuss what is happening around workplace conversations in this virtual world. We will also give you some effective tips to help navigate the common challenges faced lately.
What Really Happened To Conversations After This Pandemic?
Remote working came as a shock for all of us. But the good news is that it worked. Companies quickly discovered and adopted several platforms such as HRIS and HCM software to continue their routine operations.
Need to mention, working individuals had more time for conversations while working remotely, given they were not travelling. However, as we further explore, there are a host of challenges as well, especially around important conversations. It is now harder to “read” people through screens. Besides, in the virtual/hybrid world, managers cannot observe their team every time.
But, as we mentioned earlier, companies in India have somehow managed things. Slowly but steadily, a lot of good transformations have happened in the corporate world lately. Calls and emails are now replaced with automated software tools. More and more people are stepping forward to educate themselves about technology. People are not just curious to know what is HRIS but also equally willing to implement such systems to make virtual processes as efficient as possible.
So, one thing is certainly clear that things are almost the same as normal times but all this was put under so much pressure. And it will just take some effective steps and the right methods for companies to make things work in a virtual environment.
5 Tips To Overcome Difficult Conversations
It is no news that important conversations are the backbones of good management and leadership. But at the same time, it needs both parties to be equally engaged, safe, and committed in the dialogue.
Here are five important tips to ensure healthy conversations while working remotely:
- Listen & Notice
Both managers as well as team members should pay utmost attention during vital conversations. One must focus on what the other person is saying instead of being too busy planning what he or she wants to say.
- Ask Questions
Asking doubts and queries show the curiosity of a person. Keeping the same thing in mind, one should ask revelation questions after listening to the other person. Little phrases like “tell me more …” can also be very helpful for an effective conversation.
- Have Clarity
People participating in such crucial conversations should be clear about the reason for the meeting. They should be able to state it succinctly in one sentence. If not, they should think about it more carefully and prepare more for the conversation.
- Connect With Empathy
Every communication requires empathy to connect better. Be it managers or team members, every individual should appreciate different perspectives, be non-judgmental, curious about the other person’s feelings and acknowledge them.
- Ask Them
Managers and leaders, in particular, should slow down and figure out what the other person wants from him or her. Managers should ask them rather than assuming things. Also, they should never be hard on themselves. Always remember, the best way to approach important conversations is by being human. So, managers should care enough to make sure they are taking the necessary time and ask their teams about how things are for them and listen. In essence, it is all about respectful dialogue.
So, these are five simple yet amazing tips to ensure effective conversation in a virtual setup. Last but not least, do not forget to invest in an efficient HCM software to make things easier and engaging.
