How to Communicate in a Digital Environment

Your inbox is full, but your connections are empty. 7 EQ shifts for real presence: Every message you send shapes how people perceive, trust, and work with you. Digital presence isn't just about tasks. It's about building relationships that matter. Here's how to make every interaction count 👇🏼 1. Master your video presence ↳ Join 2 mins early: "How was your weekend?" ↳ Make space: "Just taking a moment to process that" 2. Transform robotic replies ↳ "Thanks, this matters to me" instead of "Sounds good" ↳ "Let's talk at 5pm" instead of "Can't now" 3. Create mindful pauses ↳ 10-minute buffer for emotional messages ↳ Draft important responses, take a walk, return with fresh eyes 4. Make it personal ↳ "How did that presentation go?" not "How are you?" ↳ Share specific moments: "This reminded me of our talk yesterday" 5. Balance boundaries ↳ Schedule non-urgent messages for tomorrow ↳ Auto-reply: "Focused until 2pm" 6. Bridge digital and real life ↳ "Virtual coffee Tuesday 9am?" not "Let's catch up soon" ↳ Suggest a walk-and-talk over video calls when possible 7. Show up authentically ↳ Lead with "I know there's a lot happening" ↳ Name feelings: "This must be frustrating" Small shifts in communication create massive impact. Your presence powers connection. Which of these would make the biggest difference in your work relationships? -- ♻️ Repost to help your network build stronger digital relationships 🔔 Follow Dr. Carolyn Frost for more emotional intelligence strategies for your life

Is your digital brand the new social capital? We often focus on building networks, but what about the unspoken social capital rules in our virtual work environments? When I shifted to working remotely, I knew I had to rethink how I built connections. Instead of just showing up, I needed to engage intentionally —adding value in discussions and following up with personalized messages after meetings. Little by little, these efforts built trust and solidified my digital presence. Now, peers know they can count on me, even in a virtual space. That’s how I built digital social capital : turning every interaction into a moment that matters. Relationships are more nuanced today, and the subtle rules of social capital have changed. Consider This: 📍Virtual Presence is Non-Negotiable: It’s no longer just about who you know within the company—it’s about how you’re perceived in virtual meetings and collaborative platforms. Are you a passive attendee or an active contributor shaping the team’s direction? 📍Minor Interactions, Major Impact: In the virtual workplace, influence is often built—or lost—in the small, everyday moments: a quick supportive message, a thoughtful comment in a meeting, or timely follow-ups on action items. Are you seizing these moments? 📍Depth Over Breadth: Building social capital at work isn’t about being on every project or team—it’s about the quality of your interactions. Are your co-worker connections meaningful, or are they just superficial exchanges? Elevate Your Digital Social Capital at Work: 📍Engage Engage Engage: In meetings or on collaborative platforms, go beyond generic input. Offer ideas that advance the discussion, ask insightful questions, or provide constructive feedback. Genuine engagement shows you’re invested in the team’s success. 📍Follow Up Intentionally: After virtual meetings or conversations, follow up with a personalized message or action referencing something specific. Whether it’s a helpful resource or a suggestion for next steps, this approach shows you’re proactive and attentive. 📍Consistent, Purposeful Presence: Regularly contribute in meaningful ways—whether it’s sharing valuable insights, recognizing a peer’s work, or starting important discussions. Your consistent, intentional involvement builds trust and positions you as a trusted go-to team member. Now that in-person interactions are limited, mastering these virtual nuances can amplify your influence. After all, our digital presence isn’t just a profile—it’s your digital brand. 💬 How are you cultivating yours? ♻️ Share to support eachother 🔔 For tips on how to thrive at home, work, and everywhere in between

Today, I communicated across Slack, email, shared docs, texts, video messages, meetings, and even face-to-face with my toddler all before noon. 🤯 I wouldn't be surprised if your day is a mix of non-stop communication, too. That's why I’m focused on adopting new practices to communicate more effectively. It's been a journey—but I'm starting to see massive ROI from a few tweaks I learned from Atlassian's Teamwork Lab's research. Written communication tips that have *not* helped: ❌ Sending overly long messages that overwhelm the recipient. ❌ Assuming silence equals agreement (it often doesn’t!). ❌ Using vague language that leaves room for misinterpretation. ❌ Over-relying on email or Slack for conversations that require real-time discussion. Written communication tips that have helped: ✅ Using emojis to add tone and context to messages—Did you know that messages with emojis are 23% more likely to get a response? ✅ Prioritizing clarity and brevity in written communication—I start with the bottom line upfront, then add context. ✅ Being intentional about the communication tool I use—Meetings for complex issues, Slack for updates, Loom videos for demos, etc. ✅ Clarifying my frame of mind to help eliminate miscommunications— like "Need to talk- good thing" or "not urgent" The lesson? Effective communication is about reducing friction, not creating it. A mix of clarity, empathy, and thoughtful use of tools (and emojis!) goes a long way in fostering connection and understanding. What’s worked for you in improving workplace communication? Share your best tips—I’m always looking to learn! P.S. Link to the research in the comments!