SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Leadership — tracks feedback from more than 190,000 business leaders. We run the poll question each week in our e-newsletter.
Last week, we asked: How effectively does your team communicate using new electronic channels?
- Very well — they’re “digitally fluent:” 31.08%
- Well — they could use some improvement, though: 49.85%
- Not well — they’ve been slow to learn new channels: 14.77%
- Poorly — we may as well be using paper: 4.31%
It’s not just the channel – it’s the content. Digital channels of communication are not only changing the way we share information – they’re also sharing the actual content we share. Communication has gone from linear to asynchronus. People navigate their own information flows – which aren’t always the flows you want them to follow. For you to continue communicating effectively, you must absolutely stay on top of what it takes to communicate successfully in a digital age. Shorter messages. Easier navigation. Richer media. Don’t just change the channel – change the content you’re sending through it.
Mike Figliuolo is managing director of thoughtLEADERS and author of “One Piece of Paper: The Simple Approach to Powerful, Personal Leadership.”