𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁?

Digital Communication: Fast, Efficient... and a Source of Misunderstandings? 
 
In healthcare, digital communication is essential. It saves time and enables quick information exchange. But what if speed comes at the cost of clarity and respect? 
 
Consider this real-life example from a home care organization: 
Clara sends a message in the group chat about her colleague Amira. She mentions that Amira made decisions for a client but did not clearly document them in the system. Clara intended it as an informative note, but her direct tone felt like a personal attack to Amira. The result? Frustration and miscommunication within the team. 
 
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴? 
✔ The professional tone was perceived as criticism. 
✔ There was no room for dialogue, leading to misinterpretation. 
✔ The group chat was used for feedback that would have been better addressed in a one-on-one conversation. 
 
𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁? 
At Communicating with Respect (CmR), we practice careful digital communication. This takes some extra time at first, but it soon becomes second nature: 
 
• Consider your recipient. Who is the person, and how might your message come across? 
• Check your own mindset. Are you relaxed or stressed? Do you fully stand by your message? 
• Keep your goal in mind. What do you want to achieve with your message? 
• Read it back as the recipient. How would you interpret it? 
• Use the CmR compass. Are you writing from a respectful and neutral stance? 
 
Digital communication requires attentiveness. Small adjustments can prevent misunderstandings and strengthen collaboration.