Harvard Business Review

Widespread Digital Miscommunications — and How to Dodge Them

Harvard Business Review

Summary

Marketers are increasingly calling out "bull spend," a term used to describe advertising budgets that appear effective until scrutinized by financial officers. This phenomenon is highlighted in discussions around the importance of genuine engagement metrics versus superficial ones. The conversation underscores the need for marketers to focus on strategies that truly benefit their brands rather than relying on misleading data.

As remote work becomes the norm, effective digital communication is more crucial than ever. Experts share tips for maintaining the right tone in virtual interactions, emphasizing the impact of typos and punctuation on message perception. For instance, a simple period can change the tone of a response, making it seem abrupt. The use of emojis, when appropriate, can help convey emotions that text alone may not express.

Additionally, the urgency of platforms like Slack can lead to misunderstandings. Providing context and respecting colleagues' availability can enhance communication. Experts advise taking a moment to reflect before responding to potentially upsetting messages, which can lead to clearer and calmer interactions. Overall, these insights aim to foster better communication practices in a digital workspace.

Show Notes

Common Digital Miscommunications — and How to Avoid Them

17 Apr 2020

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It’s both difficult and crucial to hit the right tone.

As Covid-19 spreads across the world, more and more of us are starting to work from home. In light of this global shift (and all of our heightened stress levels), it’s crucial to take steps to avoid miscommunication when working as part of a virtual team.

Researchers who spent the last four years studying the science of emotions and their intersection with our lives at work share how to best communicate in the digital age. How do you avoid sending a passive aggressive Slack (“let’s chat.”) or email (“just bumping this up in your inbox!”)? How do you hit the right tone over text? Did you go too far by adding that exclamation point?

Based on the following HBR article: 10 Digital Miscommunications — and How to Avoid Them by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy https://hbr.org/2020/03/10-digital-miscommunications-and-how-to-avoid-them

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