As new technologies make their way into business, and the standards for communication change, the question I am often asked is—is texting appropriate in the workplace?
The short answer is—it depends! Written communication like emails or texts can be more efficient and convenient in a busy work environment. However, they are not always the best format for interpersonal communications. Here are a few things you should know:
Recognize the negatives of the written word. Sending a written recap of a verbal conversation is fine. If there is just a text or email and the nonverbal and tonal cues of a verbal conversation are missing, issues are more likely to be misunderstood and misinterpreted. When things are misinterpreted, mistakes are made and
conflicts arise.
Keep in mind the context. While texting may be a great way to speed up the process of sending a quick memo, it should never be used for emotionally charged situations. It is unprofessional to send a text that could be misinterpreted…and when a message elicits emotion it is more likely to be taken negatively!
Know your audience. When it comes to connecting with your employees or coworkers, try to communicate in the way they prefer! For coworkers under 50, texting might be their preferred method of communication. However, if someone prefers verbal interaction, use the phone or, if possible, have a face-to-face conversation. In doing so, you’ll create the most effective platform for understanding and building a stronger relationship.
Set a policy. If you plan to allow email and text communications in your workplace, let your employees know what are the expectations and restrictions. Set a policy for the context in which a text vs. verbal communication is preferred. Inform people if the text or email is being saved and is a part of their record. In this way, confusion about the processes can be avoided.
If the above parameters are met, you can begin to take advantage of the efficiency of text communications while maintaining a professional work environment!