User:Firaol Bayisa

How should we communicate via the written word

Be Vulnerable

Leaders who are comfortable with vulnerability are more likely to create psychologically safe work atmospheres where employees feel comfortable sharing their own vulnerability.

The best way to encourage vulnerability in your team is to lead by example. Some ways of doing this are:

• Admitting your mistakes in a ‘public’ channel.
• Asking for help when you're struggling to show your team you want and need their support.
• Using weekly rituals such as a Monday kick-off call to ask everyone to share something they're worried about this week.

Be Responsive

It’s hard to trust someone who ghosts you, so try not to leave messages hanging for too long. This doesn’t mean you need to be available 24/7. If you’re busy or away, let people know you'll get back to them later or are unavailable.

Use your status and calendar to communicate when you'll be away proactively.

It not only shows a modicum of respect, it allows for everyone to sleep easier. Think of how much closure we’re all waiting on from past unreturned emails and texts. We all know how it feels to wait for a response that never comes, particularly when you see the person online. A quick “Will respond later!” is an easy way to keep trust alive.

Show Your Personality

People trust others more when they have a personal relationship. So make sure it’s not “all business” on Slack. Use emoji reactions or GIFs to express your personality.

Try opening up channels for personal topics too, like a music channel, or a fun channel where you can share things that make you laugh.

Promoting laughter, as obvious as it may sound, is a surefire way to build trust and engagement. It takes a little effort to step outside of pure business mode, but doing so makes all the difference.