“I am too busy…for you.”

According to our research, this assumption has a bigger negative impact on workplace climate than any other assumption we make about our online relationships. It’s not surprising. In the old days, all we had to do is walk by someone’s office to see how busy they were. Now, the only information we have are small cues that communicate hurry, disinterest, and disrespect. It’s only natural that we combine these cues together to construct a reality that says “my boss is just too busy to bother”.

Reality, and the constructed reality we build when we are missing nonverbal cues, are often miles apart. When we manage a virtual team, it is important to keep in mind the things that impact people’s perceptions.

Some of the most powerful cues have to do with a lack of respect. Things like a slow or non-existent response to an e-mail or slack message, missed meetings, distracted ZOOM calls, ZOOM calls that end abruptly, and short, cryptic texts, all have powerful messages hidden just under the surface. The message is “You are not important”.

To be successful in this new virtual office, it is important to engage and be present.

Question: What do you do (or try not do) to communicate to your co-workers that they are important?