#27 – Principles of effective communication (Michael Mizrahi & Sam Corcos)
Sep 30, 2021
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Michael Mizrahi, an expert in effective communication in a work setting, discusses the challenges of modern communication tools, the importance of values and principles in asynchronous work, the challenges of remote team working, effective communication in leadership and management, the rise of Slack as a communication tool, and the negative effects of distractions and addictive behavior in the workplace.
Effective communication requires finding the right balance between synchronous and asynchronous methods.
Communication tools should not be a source of distress or compulsive behaviors; prioritize low-anxiety environments.
Differentiating between social communication and work communication is crucial to prevent distractions and prioritize focused work.
Deep dives
Challenges of Communication in the Digital Age
In the world of constant notifications and communication platforms, the prevalence of distractions hampers deep work and focus. Both remote and in-person work have their challenges when it comes to effective communication. Remote teams value asynchronous communication, while in-person teams grapple with the lack of control in how and where conversations occur. The Levels team has been exploring new platforms to improve communication. They have found that traditional tools like Slack and email are not always conducive to their needs. They are experimenting with Threads, a platform that allows for more efficient triaging and documentation of communication. The aim is to reduce distractions and anxieties caused by constant notifications.
Reevaluating Communication Tools and Company Values
The Levels team acknowledges that communication tools can contribute to anxiety and addictive behaviors. They prioritize building a culture where communication tools are not a source of distress or compulsive behaviors. By focusing on values and being intentional about communication structure, they strive to create a low-anxiety environment. The team recognizes the need to question the norms of synchronous communication and the addictive nature of tools like Slack. They emphasize the importance of deep work and reflection in order to make better decisions and avoid burnout. The goal is to build a culture where deep focus work and low anxiety are the norm.
Exploration of Effective Communication Principles
The Levels team has been exploring various tools and principles to improve internal communication. By calibrating these tools against factors like depth, speed, and importance, they aim to set explicit standards for their usage. They recognize the need to differentiate between social communication and work communication to prevent distractions and prioritize focused work. The team also acknowledges the potential pitfalls of synchronous communication, where decision-making becomes rushed and inhibits deep thought and individual responsibility. They are specifically addressing the challenges of email overload, lack of categorization within threads, and the need for better documentation and transparency.
Balancing Transparency and Siloed Information
One of the challenges Levels faces is finding the right balance between transparency and information silos. While silos of information are necessary at scale, they emphasize the importance of open silos, where information is accessible to all team members, promoting transparency and better collaboration. They have implemented forums akin to Reddit's structure to categorize conversations by team or project, allowing for easy access and triaging. Open communication channels help in prioritizing and focus while minimizing distractions and preventing critical information from being missed. Levels also acknowledges the advantages and limitations of using external tools like Slack for cross-company collaboration, highlighting the need for accountability and traceability.
Cultural Shifts and Future Considerations
Levels acknowledges the need for cultural shifts in how work and communication are approached. While synchronous chat may serve specific purposes, they question its necessity and potential to create distractions. They advocate for a shift away from rewarding and addictive communication behaviors, emphasizing deep work, prioritization, and intentional decision-making. By setting clear expectations and SLAs for communication, especially in leadership roles, they aim to improve the effectiveness and focus of their team. They are also open to exploring other tools that align with their values and enable better communication, while still acknowledging the enduring role of email in external communication. The team is committed to finding the right balance between synchronous and asynchronous communication and fostering a culture of transparency and low anxiety.
Communication and communication platforms – specifically in a work setting – can lead to increased productivity, or can unfold as a distraction mechanism for urgency. Unfortunately, for most companies, the latter is often true.
In a world of constant connection and notifications, the expectation around professional communication is often positioned as "the faster, the better". However, is it the platforms or the way in which teams use specific platforms which encourages and enables this behaviour to take place?
The entire Levels team values deep work and asynchronous communication, and we're constantly trying to get better at it as we scale our team. Sam Corcos, co-founder and CEO of Levels, and Miz (Michael Mizrahi), Head of Operations, spent time thinking about platforms that would encourage a healthy communication cadence, and productive communication etiquette for our team.
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(03:29) - Modern communication tools are designed to be addictive
(04:06) - Traditional communication tools often lead to burnout
(10:31) - Avoiding a culture of shoulder taps
(10:50) - Not all text based communication is equally asynchronous
(12:28) - Using tools to wean the body off notification dopamine
(13:30) - Communication systems should be needs based
(15:18) - Setting clear expectations for response times
(23:33) - Why we banned Slack
(28:01) - Switching tools in search of a better way
(44:40) - How the future workforce will communicate