It’s Okay to Use Digital Communication to Stay Connected
Three key digital communication platforms we can leverage to further connect with our teams:
Email, Text, and Social Media
It’s true that email may be overused, text may seem too forward or aggressive, and social media may seem too personal. However, connection is connection, and the goal is to create emotional connections with people, so they feel more welcome in our presence and on our team.
So simply treat this just like any other mode of communication and meet them where they are.
Email. If they’re inclined to email instead of having a phone conversation, leverage that to connect with them.
Text. If they’re always texting friends and family, then you know they’re comfortable connecting in that way; so, leverage that to connect with them.
Social media, as long as you keep it professional and purposeful, can also be a great way to connect.
To establish emotional connections with and among people on your team and in order to create a sense of welcome, simply be yourself and be human. Nothing more, nothing less.
Sometimes, being human enough to connect on a human level (and stay connected, personally with each person on your team) means sending an email, a text, or tagging someone in a social media post every now and then.
I had a leader once send me a text message while I was on vacation, walking around World Showcase, at Epcot with my then-girlfriend who’s now my wife. My leader was a Vice President, and she’d received our team’s employee satisfaction survey results. She sent me a text message which was simple, yet impactful.
The text said, “Just wanted to let you know that your team’s employee satisfaction survey scores were some of the highest in the organization. Thank you, for doing what you do. It’s an honor to work with you every day.”
That one, simple text brought a lump in my throat and a tear to my eye, in all the best ways. I was on cloud nine for the rest of the afternoon, enjoying beverages and bites from all around the world, at Epcot. And I tell that story all over the country when speaking to leaders as a reminder to stay connected with everybody they lead, including via digital communication.
