Honing Your Managers’ Virtual Communication Skills

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes | Published on: 10 May 2020

As businesses increasingly shift to remote work, managers accustomed to face-to-face interactions are encountering a new frontier: effective virtual communication.

It’s vital for Human Resource professionals to equip managers with the skills to communicate clearly and influentially in a remote setting.

The transition from in-person to virtual environments can create communication barriers that weren’t previously there.

Communication Skills

Traditional cues such as body language and eye contact are often lost in virtual meetings, requiring a different approach to convey messages effectively and maintain team cohesion.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, through research published in the MIT Sloan Management Review, highlights several strategies to bolster virtual communication skills among leaders and managers. Here are key practices and additional insights that can help your managers navigate these challenges:

  • Clarity and Consideration: Encourage managers to be clear in their communication. Ambiguity can lead to misunderstandings and inefficiencies that are magnified in a virtual context. Managers should also practice empathy, considering the perspectives and circumstances of their team members to foster a supportive environment.
  • Proactive Communication: In remote settings, the casual, spontaneous conversations that occur naturally in an office are missing. Encourage managers to engage in small talk and check-ins beyond formal meetings. This helps to build rapport and ensures that communication remains open and frequent, contributing to a more cohesive team dynamic.
  • Responsiveness: Being quick to respond to emails, messages, and requests can prevent bottlenecks and show team members that they are valued. Including timely and constructive feedback is also crucial, as it guides and reassures remote employees about their performance and contributions.
  • Openness and Inclusivity: Promote an inclusive communication style that encourages participation from all team members. This involves not only inviting input from everyone but also being attentive to those who might be less inclined to speak up in a virtual setting. Managers should make an extra effort to reach out individually, especially to those who may be quieter during larger meetings.
  • Regular Updates: With the team working remotely, it’s essential to keep everyone aligned with regular updates. Whether it’s through weekly newsletters, daily stand-ups, or regular status updates, consistent communication helps mitigate the feeling of isolation and keeps everyone on the same page.
  • Utilise Technology Effectively: Leverage tools that enhance virtual communication, such as video conferencing software, collaborative platforms, and project management tools. Familiarizing the team with these technologies and using them to their full potential can significantly improve communication effectiveness.
  • Cultivate a Culture of Empathy: Teaching leaders to show empathy is more crucial than ever. Understanding and acknowledging the challenges that come with remote work can help managers support their teams more effectively. For resources on cultivating empathy, consider exploring available guides and training modules.

The Engage Model

For HR professionals looking to assess and enhance their managers’ communication skills within this new remote work paradigm, the ENGAGE model offers a comprehensive framework.

This model can be assessed through a free evaluation, available through specialised HR resources.

Help your managers overcome the barriers of remote work and lead their teams with confidence.