What are communication media & methods?
Communication media and methods refer to the platforms and mediums with which team members communicate at work.
Media may include examples such as:
- Video calling software (MS Teams, Zoom, Google Meet)
- Messaging software (MS Teams chat, Slack)
- Project management software(Trello, Notion)
Methods may include examples such as:
- Emails
- Phone Calls
- Video calls
- Messages
- Face to face (spontaneous)
- Face to face (focused)
Why is considering communication media and methods important?
For a team, the selection of communication media represents a very specific challenge, especially if the physical presence of individual team members is not clearly defined or expected.
Face-to-face interactions represent the most comprehensive communication method. Video calls have been found to have the same effect on the transmission of relevant information, however prolonged exposure to pure video communication has been shown to hamper relationships and spontaneous contact.
Which medium/method should I use?
It is difficult to establish a set of best practices for communication, as this varies greatly depending on the specific set up of your team. However, some general recommendations may include:
- Written digital communication (like emails and messaging) is best for sharing simple facts and information.
- For sharing more complex information, face-to-face communication is generally the best, as it offers the most comprehensive approach.
