Without clear norms, communication can become a productivity killer. Messages get ignored, decisions are delayed, and burnout rises. If you want to build a high-performing team, you need to establish shared rules for how, when, and where information flows. Here's how.
Clarify responsiveness expectations. Teams often misread urgency. Some reply instantly to casual emails; others miss critical messages for days. Set baseline expectations: How quickly should team members respond via Slack? Email? What’s considered urgent? Also define off-hours boundaries. Use features like “send later” or set quiet hours so no one feels pressured to stay online 24/7.
Designate specific tools for specific tasks. Assign channels by purpose, for example: Slack for quick questions, email for formal updates, shared docs for project tracking. Without clear guidance, people default to personal habits, creating noise and missed information.
Make reading effortless. Assume readers are skimming. Lead with key points, cut unnecessary words, and use clear formatting. Shorter messages often get better responses—but in some settings, brevity can seem incomplete. Model concise communication and reset norms so that clarity, not length, becomes the standard.
