Hybrid Habits – Written Habits Cheatsheet (by Ben Hughes)

Can I make this message 20% more upbeat?

Written messages tend to be interpreted as more negative than you intended.

Could I use a few emojis to more clearly express the tone of my message, or just to liven it up and/or make it more playful?

This is a powerful tool for conveying non-verbal information. You could also consider sending a GIF, if you’re in the mood for that kind of thing.

Am I giving context to my request?

Sharing helps the person feel involved and increases the likelihood of a “Yes.”

Do I still need to respond to this to close the conversation?

Don’t be the lead who doesn’t acknowledge it when someone delivers what was asked.

Am I using irony/sarcasm?

As a general rule, don’t, as this can be easily misunderstood.

Am I referencing the power dynamic?

Don’t do this unless you absolutely need to, because it creates a “me vs. you”-setting.

Am I feeling strong emotions, possibly due to a message I myself received?

Breathe deep, and draft the kindest, nicest message you possibly can. You will thank yourself later.

This cheat sheet is related to the Attuned webinar, “How can leaders improve their written communication in the remote/hybrid era?” that was broadcast on June 1st, 2023. You can watch the full recording and download the slides here.

About the Webinar

With fewer face-to-face interactions and non-verbal cues in the remote/hybrid work era, it’s easier than ever for misunderstandings to occur. This can have a big effect on everything from productivity and engagement to motivation and retention.

In this webinar, Ben Hughes, former Director of Content at Blinkist and co-author of the book “The Loop Approach – How to Transform Your Organization from the Inside Out” discusses the writing habits that leaders need to develop to communicate more effectively in remote/hybrid work environments—and why a well-timed emoji can be worth a thousand words.

Speakers:

Ben Hughes, Hybrid/Remote Leadership Speaker & Trainer

Paul Kay, Head of Content - Attuned