Editorial
The modern workplace — made up of remote, hybrid and in-office employees — is a complex environment where demand for productivity is up while opportunities for interpersonal interactions seem to be waning. At Laserfiche, we have particular insight into how technology has transformed the way we work — but have also seen it introduce new challenges to the communication that is essential for collaboration and innovation.
The office water cooler once served as an impromptu meeting place for casual conversations, idea sharing and relationship building. Today, with dispersed teams and a different definition of “office,” spontaneous interactions are increasingly rare. Fewer in-person interactions can make it difficult for coworkers to build rapport and trust, which negatively impacts productivity and job satisfaction.
Research indicates that nearly half of workers report that ineffective communication hampers their productivity. This statistic underscores the importance of finding effective communication channels in today’s hybrid work environment. Unfortunately, a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t exist. Employees have many different preferences for communication channels and styles.
To address these challenges and cultivate better communication at all levels, organizations must intentionally create opportunities for organic interaction. To some business leaders, this may sound awkward or uncomfortable, but embracing the spirit of experimentation is necessary to find what works for your team or organization. Here are three strategies that are worth trying out.
Over-Communicate
In a time when information overload is commonplace, it’s tempting to hold back on communications to avoid upsetting people. However, I’ve found the opposite to be true: Use all your available channels — intranet, email, team messaging platforms and video conferencing — because you never know which ones are preferred by different employees. Keep employees informed about company news, project updates and even casual updates like employee birthdays or work anniversaries. This constant flow of information helps to foster a sense of connection and belonging.
At Laserfiche, I’ve gotten into the habit of writing short articles on our intranet, which can be about anything from updates on companywide initiatives to interesting stories that I hear around the office that offer insights into different colleagues’ work styles or leadership tips. The interest around these articles has grown over the past couple years, and now employees from throughout the company have begun writing their own updates that are shared on a weekly (sometimes more frequent) basis with our staff globally.
Related Article: Can You Create a 'Water Cooler' Culture in the Virtual Workplace?
Schedule Casual Meetings
While it may seem counterintuitive, scheduling casual meetings can be an effective way to encourage organic interaction. These meetings should be free from strict guidelines and focused on building relationships and cross-departmental communication in general.
We recently started running an open, weekly “show-and-tell” style meeting that brings people together from various teams, to provide a space for updates which individuals may feel aren’t significant enough to share at an all-hands meeting. However, teams benefit from learning about other departments’ activities, whether they are smaller initiatives or works-in-progress. The casual nature of these gatherings encourage significant engagement — there are always a lot of questions and great discussion — as well as a sense of camaraderie among attendees.
Related Article: Workers Are Lonely: Here's What Leaders Can Do
Invest in Communications Training
Effective communication is a skill that can be learned and honed. Providing employees with communication training resources can help them develop the soft skills necessary to build rapport, resolve conflicts and collaborate effectively. This investment in employee development can not only enhance interpersonal relationships but also boost overall productivity and job satisfaction.
While we have always offered this type of programming, we’ve seen particular interest in our Toastmasters club in recent years. It offers an encouraging space for employees to exercise their public speaking skills, and I’ve seen a lot of growth from up-and-coming leaders at these meetings. It also helps to further build community among the club participants, who are all from different levels and departments.
Conference
Sep
16
HR Tech Conference Las Vegas 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
As many of us have learned over recent years, creating a workplace where employees feel connected and engaged requires intentional effort. Embrace the awkwardness of creating organic interactions — it will encourage more collaboration and innovation, despite the challenges of having to navigate a new hybrid landscape.
The water cooler may be a thing of the past, but human connections are more important than ever. By creating new spaces for interaction and equipping employees with the tools they need to communicate effectively, we can build stronger teams and drive business success.
Learn how you can join our contributor community.
