Is 'Slack Rage'​ hijacking your online communication?

In the age of dispersed work ecosystems, online communication has largely replaced office dynamics.

In many ways this has delivered many benefits: asynchronous work, flattened hierarchical structures, instant feedback and contact, cross-geography teams… but is there a cost?

As Emma Goldberg writes in her recent article on The Australian Financial Review

‘We’re living in the age of Slack rage’.

Our communication has irrevocably changed with technology, increasingly we’re finding ourselves frustrated, stressed and reactive in ways we wouldn’t be if we were sharing an office - we’ve got some room for improvement.

Here’s my top six considerations for you if you find yourself in a ‘Slack rage’ with colleagues online:

1.      Pause and check in with yourself

Our first reaction is often impulsive and emotionally driven. Before firing back a curt reply to a message take a moment to pause and check in with how you’re feeling.

Ask yourself what am I feeling right now, is there something else that’s causing this reaction? Will I regret this response later?

2.      Question your mental narrative

Many of us respond with ‘Slack Rage’ based on our interpretation of events – we read a message and assume we understand the other persons intent, but this often isn’t the truth. Asking ourselves am I making an observation based on truth or am I interpreting this by filling in blanks helps us to detach from the mental narrative we’ve created about the communication.

3.      Remember what you’re missing

Through online channels, we’re missing vital non-verbal communication cues that our brains are used to subconsciously interpreting in the ‘real world’. Body language, facial expressions, tone, deliverance, and energy are all absent in online communication. In replace of this, our brain makes sense of communication by filling in the blanks based on our interpretations – which limited when we’re working with a few lines text!

4.      Ask clarifying questions

Rather than assume we know what a colleague is thinking or feeling based on a slack message, use the opportunity to ask good clarifying questions to understand more, giving them the benefit of the doubt.

5.      If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t say it online

Online communication creates a pseudo-safety barrier between people. However, hurt, anger and frustration still permeate. Even if your frustrations are valid, choose to communicate mindfully and use language that you wouldn’t be afraid to use to someone’s face. Remember, there’s no need for BRUTAL honesty, honesty can always be delivered kindly, with accountability.

6.      Use the right tool, for the right job

Online isn’t the right fit for all communication needs. Knowing what should be communicated how and where is more important than ever. Conflict resolution and personal matters require careful consideration around the most appropriate channels to engage in discourse. If there’s a chance for a delicate matter to be misconstrued or emotional via slack or online channels aren’t appropriate.

Remember, even when you’re communicating through a screen, there’s a real living and breathing human being on the other end.

Choose kind connection over slack rage!