In today’s digital world, virtual communication has become essential to our professional lives. While remote work offers flexibility, it also challenges building trust and fostering strong working relationships. When starting in a virtual environment, it’s crucial to understand team members’ skills, strengths, and areas for improvement. This helps establish trust and creates an open, collaborative work culture.
However, while there is plenty of advice on best practices, it's equally important to recognise behaviours that hinder effective communication. Avoiding these ineffective habits can significantly improve your influence and engagement in virtual interactions. Here are five common mistakes to steer clear of:
Failing to Encourage Conversation
Effective communication is not just about delivering information—it’s about creating dialogue. Instead of being overly matter-of-fact, show genuine interest in what others say. Encourage discussion by actively listening, asking open-ended questions, and building on others' points. Research indicates that people interested in conversations and asking engaging follow-up questions are more likely to influence and connect with others.
Forgetting Names
A person’s name is one of the most significant sounds they can hear. Remembering and using names during virtual interactions fosters a sense of value and recognition. Forgetting names can weaken engagement and diminish rapport. Studies show that people who hear their names in conversations feel more acknowledged, making them more likely to engage positively with you.
Interrupting Others When They Speak
Everyone enjoys talking about themselves—it’s human nature. However, cutting someone off mid-conversation can make them feel unheard and undervalued. If you want to build strong relationships and positively influence others, allow them to express themselves fully. Give them space to share their thoughts, and show interest in their perspectives before responding.
Being Self-Centred Instead of Valuing Others' Contributions
Influential communicators focus on making others feel important. Recognising employees’ ideas and contributions encourages engagement and fosters trust. Even if you aren’t personally invested in a topic, asking insightful questions and showing curiosity demonstrates respect and makes conversations more meaningful.
Acting Superior Instead of Finding Common Ground
People naturally connect with those who share similar interests, values, and experiences. Instead of positioning yourself as superior, look for commonalities. Finding similarities can strengthen connections and improve communication effectiveness, whether it’s shared interests, backgrounds, or challenges.
The Key to Influence: Understanding Others
Influence isn’t about asserting dominance—it’s about understanding people, their needs, and their motivations. To influence virtual interactions, observe and engage meaningfully with your audience. When discussing topics you are passionate about, preparation is key, and thoughtful communication ensures your message is well received, even when opinions differ.
By avoiding these ineffective habits and fostering positive communication strategies, you can enhance your virtual interactions, build trust, and establish a strong professional presence in the digital workspace.
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