Could Different Collaboration Styles Be Pushing Your Team Members Apart?

For many companies, their first experiences with modern collaboration tools came about as a result of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Some were forced to go entirely remote, while others completely halted operations for an indefinite period of time. While collaboration tools are designed to bring people together, it might come at a cost.

Asking the Workers How Collaboration Tools Have Impacted Them

Lucid, a software developer, issued a survey in conjunction with The Harris Poll to look at how we collaborate, the results of which have been compiled in their 2022 The Way We Collaborate report. The report states that 90 percent of those surveyed predict a continuation of remote work, while 87 percent of them have grown more comfortable with digital collaboration solutions. These numbers might be impressive, but there are other, more concerning statistics to be found in this report, too. For example, the report found that 57 percent of respondents have different communication preferences that are not supported by the tools their company utilizes.

There are three primary ways that people tend to communicate in the workplace:

• “Expressive” workers prefer visual information—charts, graphs, and diagrams—as a means of collaboration.
• “Relational” workers are the ones who thrive when they are able to form bonds with their coworkers.
• “Introspective” workers embrace the chance to independently ponder and consider ideas before bringing them into the fold.

Considering these collaboration methods can help you make better choices regarding the collaboration tools you choose to implement. While some might find that specific methods of collaboration work best for them, there are others who might need a different approach.

Providing Additional Options Can Only Improve Collaboration

At the end of the day, having options is always a good thing, and your business can only benefit from implementing multiple different methods of collaboration. When you offer multiple methods of communication, your business can truly thrive.

If you are looking for more ways to communicate and collaborate, we can help. To learn more, reach out to Horne & Benik at (603) 499-4400.