Episode 16 | The Communication Dilemma

Episode Summary

With the rise of hybrid and remote work, along with evolving tools and increasing workloads, effective communication has become more complex.  

In this episode, Niamh Moynihan discusses one of the most complicated workplace challenges: communication.

Niamh explores the impact of technology, changing work roles, and modern communication habits while sharing practical strategies to enhance how we connect and collaborate at work

.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Technology in Communication

• Tools like Teams and Slack can be helpful but also encourage unintentional, rushed communication. Pausing before sending messages can improve clarity and reduce unnecessary noise.
• AI tools that assist with writing can be valuable, but over-reliance may lead to a loss of intentionality, tone, and personal connection in communication.

Email Challenges and Opportunities

• Emails are essential for detailed communication, but inbox overload often leads to skimmed or ignored messages.
• Allocating specific time blocks for reading and responding to emails ensures thoughtful communication and reduces the back-and-forth caused by fragmented attention.

Meeting Presence and Engagement

• Multitasking during meetings undermines focus and collaboration. Simple changes, like sitting back from your keyboard, can improve attention and contribution.

The Increasing Scope of Roles

• Today’s employees often juggle various responsibilities, leading to communication overload. Managers should regularly review team workloads to ensure priorities are clear and achievable.

Adapting to Shorter Attention Spans

• The shift toward bite-sized communication (e.g., two-sentence paragraphs) reflects changing habits but can oversimplify critical messages. Balance brevity with the need for context and detail.

Practical Tips From The Episode:

• Pause Before Sending: Consider whether your message serves the recipient’s needs or is driven by your own urgency.
• Block Time for Email: Treat email communication with the same priority as deep work by scheduling dedicated time for thoughtful responses.
• Stay Present in Meetings: Reduce distractions by physically moving away from your keyboard and giving the meeting your full attention.
• Simplify Workloads: Managers should assess team responsibilities to avoid overwhelming employees with conflicting priorities and excessive communication.

Effective communication requires balance—between brevity and depth, technology and human touch, and individual needs versus team goals. By making small changes to how we interact, we can reduce noise, foster better understanding, and work more collaboratively.

Until next time, stay well and have a better workday.

Listen to The Better Workday Podcast on Spotify

Listen to The Better Workday Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to the YouTube Channel