Communication Pet Peeves?

I never really had pet peeves until recently.  Nothing seemed to bug me.  That is, until seeing managers escalate when something was not done after a few emails to a colleague (sans picking up the phone), and then personally blowing up after having an escalation to obtain my time when no one tried to call me first.

So as web, mobile technology, and other devices proliferate our lives with growing communication channels to reach us, and we become more and more remote to get our jobs done in the global economy, how do you manage it all and ensure you listen for and take action on relevant information, both individually and within your team?

1. Set Communication Norms

How do you create new action items and close the loop on open issues?  Set deadlines to review documents?

It’s important to let your team know how best to communicate to dos so that you do not get frustrated when peers or others don’t get you what you need in time.  Leverage Web 2.0 tools like reQall and Remember the Milk to keep yourself on top of requests others make of you.

2. Initially Use Multiple Channels to Reach Who You Need

If you have an urgent need, try to reach someone by email, phone and instant messenger.  Try all channels you know of to reach someone, not just one.  That will also help show the urgency to the request.

3. Use Multiple Communication Channels Before Giving Up

Use a land line phone if necessary.  Do you think someone’s boss wants to receive a call from you because someone didn’t return your message in the last hour?

Remember to try to plan and communicate what you need instead of waiting until the last minute and the person you need is unavailable.

4. Be Adaptable

Even if you may not like it, email and instant messenger are used more and more to communicate critical information and to reach people.  If you are struggling to keep up with the influx of notifications, find ways to filter your information by asking colleagues on what they do to manage the “noise” or by taking a class.

5. Out of Office Notifications

Help colleagues know you are not available by leaving out of office or unavailable messages on your voice mail and email.  Provide someone to contact or how to reach you if the need is urgent and cannot wait until you are available again.

If you can learn to manage all the ways information, action items and issues are communicated your way, you’ll be able to better stay on top of your to do list and push back when needed.

So what are your communication pet peeves?

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2. Tips for following up with contacts after a meeting or conference
3. Building Credibility in the Virtual Information Age
4. Feature rich conference calls – free and easy
5. Outlook plug-in to help you organize your flooded inbox