Strategies For Encouraging Open Communication Online

Communication is the glue that holds teams together, but even the smallest cracks can lead to major fractures if left unaddressed. Imagine trying to build a strong, sturdy wall without noticing the hairline cracks forming—those tiny issues eventually compromise the whole structure. The same is true for communication within teams. Here’s why communication cracks happen and how to address them before they break the team dynamic: 1️⃣ Clarity Over Assumptions One of the biggest causes of communication cracks is the assumption that everyone is on the same page. Leaders often believe their instructions are clear, while team members interpret them differently. The solution? Prioritize clarity. Spell things out, confirm understanding, ask for play backs from your audience and encourage team members to ask questions. It’s far better to over-communicate to get it wrong. 2️⃣ Build a Culture of Openness Fear of speaking up is a silent communication killer. If team members feel like they can’t ask questions, provide feedback, or share concerns, cracks start forming. Leaders must actively create an environment where openness is celebrated. Foster trust by inviting feedback regularly and responding with empathy and action. 3️⃣ Don’t Let Digital Overwhelm Human Connections In today’s workplace, we rely heavily on emails, chats, and virtual meetings. While these tools are convenient, they can dilute the human element of communication. Misinterpretations happen, and nuances are lost. Incorporate more face-to-face (or virtual face-to-face) conversations for clarity and connection. Sometimes, a 5-minute chat can fix what a dozen emails cannot. 4️⃣ Active Listening is Non-Negotiable Effective communication isn’t just about talking—it’s about listening. Leaders and team members alike need to practice active listening. This means not just hearing words but understanding intent, emotions, and the bigger picture. Active listening makes people feel valued and prevents misunderstandings from growing into bigger issues. 5️⃣ Address Conflict Early Unresolved conflict is one of the most visible cracks in team communication. When issues are ignored, they fester and grow, creating divides that are hard to repair. Address conflicts as soon as they arise. Create an environment where disagreements can be discussed constructively and lead to solutions, not resentment. Take Action Before It’s Too Late Communication cracks, if ignored, don’t just affect a single project or conversation—they compromise trust, productivity, and the overall health of the team. Proactively addressing them ensures your team remains aligned, resilient, and effective. What’s one step you’ll take this week to strengthen communication within your team? Let’s start the conversation below. 👇 #CommunicationMatters #TeamSuccess #ConflictResolution #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #RuthOnLeadership

Stop beating a dead intranet. If you’re leading employee communications, your job is NOT to shout carefully vetted messages from the ivory tower. Megaphones are for marching bands, not modern workplaces. The age of decreeing messages from the higher-ups with the expectation of silent compliance is over. We're in the era of dialogue, baby. The role of internal comms leaders is to create spaces where conversation flourishes—less shouting into the void and more stimulating discussion and debate. But organizations are still preaching from the corporate pulpit, expecting rapt attention from the masses. We're hoarding communication channels at the top while the rest of the organization starves for a voice. So why aren't companies democratizing communication? 1. Fear of relinquishing power: There's this stodgy notion that open communication equals chaos. In other words, fear rules the land, with lords worried about losing control if the serfs start having a say. 2. The illusion of open-door policies: Slapping an "open-door" label on a fundamentally closed communication system doesn't magically make it inclusive. 3. Hierarchical hangovers: The corporate ladder is still a thing, and it's casting long shadows over who gets to speak and who gets to listen. 4. Lack of tools (or will) to change: Either organizations are stuck with tools from the digital Stone Age, or there's resistance to adopting new platforms that foster open dialogue. But they should reconsider because… ⚡ Great ideas can come from anywhere, not just the C-suite. Open communication channels are where innovation thrives. ⚡ Employees who feel heard are employees who stick around.  ⚡A vibrant, open communication culture is the best kind of strategy an organization can hope to have. ⚡ When communication flows freely, trust follows. And in today's world, trust is the currency of choice. So, how can you get started democratizing your internal comms? 1. Adopt the right tools: Invest in platforms that are designed for the modern workplace, where dialogue, not monologue, is the default setting. Hint: your emailed internal newsletter and your creaky intranet site aren’t it. 2. Flatten the communication hierarchy: Encourage leaders to mingle in the digital town square, sharing, commenting and—most importantly—listening. 3. Train, don't just tell: Equip everyone with the skills to communicate effectively in an open environment. 4. Celebrate the voices: Recognize and reward those who contribute to the conversation. Make it known that every voice matters—and mean it.  #internalcommunications #employeecommunications #ThatAshleyAmber

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻. We’re drowning in Zoom calls, Slack messages, and emails—yet too many employees feel 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱, 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 & 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 at the end of the day. 🔹 45% of workers report emotional exhaustion. 🔹 44% say they feel burned out. 🔹 Collaboration, innovation & trust are suffering. But the solution isn’t forcing people back into offices. It’s fixing how we communicate—wherever we work. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘂𝗽: ✅ Prioritize clarity & intentionality. - Set clear expectations in meetings: Why are we here? What’s the goal? - Use asynchronous updates to reduce unnecessary calls. - Make space for deep work—constant pings ≠ productivity. ✅ Master remote & hybrid communication. - Reading tone over text? Tricky. Over-communicate context & ask for clarity before assuming intent. - Give people grace—typed words lack body language & tone. - Use video when it adds value—not just because it’s default. ✅ Lead with vulnerability & active listening. - Great leaders don’t just talk; they listen at the highest level (active & empathetic listening). - Create space for employees to share ideas & concerns—psychological safety fuels innovation. ✅ Make connection a habit. - Remote work isn’t the problem—poor connection is. - Intentional check-ins, virtual coffees & Slack shout-outs build relationships. - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝘁𝘁𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 ➡️ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲. The companies thriving today aren’t dragging people back to cubicles—they’re getting better at remote & hybrid communication. Leaders: How are you making communication work in a flexible world? Let’s create workplaces where communication drives connection—not just noise. #Leadership #RemoteWork #Communication #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceCulture #HR

Misunderstandings happen more often than they should. Why? Because we often forget a key principle in communication: UNDERSTAND OTHERS BEFORE SEEKING TO BE UNDERSTOOD. This simple change can transform our interactions, leading to stronger relationships, better collaboration, and the ability to tap into diverse perspectives. When we feel truly heard and understood at work, we're more likely to do our best and share our unique insights. If this idea is so important, why don’t we use it more often? Here are a few reasons: (a) Time Pressure: In an environment where our calendars look like heavily-stacked pancakes, we're focused on meeting deadlines and getting results. This urgency can lead us to make quick decisions instead of taking the time to listen and understand. (b) Ego and Self-Interest: We often prioritize our own opinions, driven by the need to prove our competence or authority. This focus on advancing our own agendas can make us overlook the value of understanding others. (c) Lack of Awareness or Skills: Many people aren't aware of their listening habits or how their communication style impacts others. Plus, active listening and empathy are skills that require practice and intention. (d) Emotional Barriers: Stress, anxiety, or frustration can create barriers to understanding. When overwhelmed by these emotions, it can be hard to empathize with others or listen effectively. (e) Cognitive Biases: Biases like confirmation bias can prevent us from considering other viewpoints objectively, making understanding difficult. Here's the good news! We can overcome these barriers and build better habits. Here are three tips to do just that: 1.    Practice Active Listening: Truly listen to others without thinking about your response. Focus on what is being said, ask questions, and reflect on the information to gain deeper insights. 2.    Ask Questions to Understand: Instead of assuming you know what others are thinking, ask open-ended questions to invite them to share their thoughts and feelings. This encourages a deeper understanding of their perspectives and builds trust. 3.    Encourage Open Dialogue: Create spaces where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. Be vulnerable. Encourage diverse perspectives and value each person's contribution. By seeking to understand first, we strengthen collaboration and ensure everyone feels valued and motivated to do their best. #understanding #relationships #collaboration #energy #humanbehavior #workplace #leadership #teamwork #skills #listening #empathy #dialogue