Tip: Four smart steps to better virtual communicating.

Posted by Hailey Heimbach on Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Tip: Four smart steps to better virtual communicating.

In Ping: The Secrets of Successful Virtual Communication, Adam Brodsky, PhD, an award-winning professor at the University of Texas shares his framework to effectively communicate in the virtual world. He says it takes:

P: Perspective taking — Put yourself in the other person’s shoes and think about how they might interpret your communication.

I: Initiative — Take the time to add back the information (such as personal info), that you might have included in a face-to-face discussion, into your virtual communication. Studies show that people who have some small talk at the beginning of a meeting actually have a more productive meeting overall and also stay in touch more after the meeting.

N: Nonverbal behavior — Be aware of the subliminal messages you might be conveying — everything from the time of day you send an email, whether you use emojis, or your level of eye contact in a video call.

G: Goals — If your goal is to build relationships, get to know each other, and create a positive impression then having your cameras on is a good idea. If you know each other well and your goal is to conserve energy, reduce stress and fatigue, then cameras off works best.

​As Brodsky says, “One of the best things you can do is simply ask the other person What’s your preferred mode. Do you want to do phone? Do you want to do video? Do you want to do cameras on or off? People are going to "like interacting with you a lot more if they can do it over their preferred mode of communication.”

This acronym P.I.N.G. is a good reminder of how you can create better virtual conversations.

SHEPA LEARNING COMPANY WEEKLY POSITIVE NETWORKING® TIP​
​No. 1105, March 12, 2025​
​By Gayle Hallgren and Judy Thomson

Categories: General

Tagged: General, Information, Tips and Tricks