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If you’re looking for some best practices around communicating in today’s digital, virtual environments, this episode is for you. Today, we listen in on a conversation between David Ashcraft and digital body language expert Erica Dhawan. Together they explore how communication has changed, particularly over the past 5 years, and what leaders can do right now to communicate effectively with their teams to maximize collaboration and effectiveness.
IN THIS EPISODE
0:00 Intro
02:30 How was Erica’s first experience with the Global Leadership Summit?
04:10 How she got to where she is today.
07:50 What have we lost with today’s remote/virtual communication?
12:55 How to brainstorm in a remote or hybrid format.
15:15 What are some practical ways to manage putting information on a screen while still being able to see peoples’ faces?
17:10 What are the best ways to connect with others?
19:30 How to build connection between younger leaders and experienced leaders.
26:15 What is “Connectional Intelligence”?
27:45 How to practically show value to someone online.
33:00 How do you protect against people running with an idea that was just meant as a offhand comment?
35:45 Unwritten rules about communication formality.
41:00 How to limit the number of “meetings after the meetings.”
42:10 What are some specific tips to build trust during a digital conversation?
43:30 Two tips for someone who wants to improve immediately.
46:40 Outro
LISTEN
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
STANDOUTS AND TAKEAWAYS
- In this day and age, we are all immigrants in the world of digital body language.
- Up to 70% of our communication is non-verbal: pacing, posture, gestures, tone, eye contact, etc. However up to 70% of our connection time is now virtual.
- Today, we have a whole set of digital body language cues that we can use to foster connection, empathy and collaboration.
- In person settings have never a predictor of the most productive, high-performing groups.
- It’s not about physical proximity; it’s about affinity proximity.
- Remote work allows good ideas to come from anywhere, not just from the people in the office.
- Effective brainstorming should now include a-synchronous activities as well.
- Leaders should make explicit what used to be implicit in face-to-face office situations: it should be normal for people to have their cameras on in remote meetings.
- To choose which communication channel to use, consider issues of complexity, urgency and frequency.
- Executive “presence” looks different now: it now includes the quality of the emails you write and clearly setting expectations on video calls.
- When you are on camera, you should be thinking like the host of a television show who is trying to engage a studio audience.
- The four laws of Connectional Intelligence are: 1) Value Visibly; 2) Communicate Carefully; 3) Collaborate Confidently and 4) Trust Totally.
Related
Ep 210: What Leaders Miss About Motivation, Purpose and Progress
In this episode, GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft talks with Chris McChesney, author of The 4 Disciplines of Execution, about the difference between employee satisfaction and true engagement. Chris explains why people can have what looks like an ideal job and still feel disconnected from the work, while others can serve in demanding environments and remain deeply motivated. The difference often comes down to progress and purpose.
Ep 209: Communication, Candor and Trust
In this episode, Whitney Putnam and GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft talk about one of the most common leadership challenges: how to communicate with clarity, candor and care when the stakes are high. They unpack a real moment from a recent GLN all-staff meeting, where a public challenge created tension, required follow-up and ultimately helped sharpen strategy. Whitney and David explore why leaders often think they are being clear when others are hearing something different, how trust makes hard conversations possible, and why “keeping short accounts” can prevent tension from becoming toxic.
Ep 208: Leading When the Plan Falls Apart with Craig Groeschel
In this episode, David Ashcraft talks with Craig Groeschel, founder and senior pastor of Life.Church, about how leaders can respond when leadership does not go as planned. Craig reflects on failed ideas, organizational pivots, team conflict, and the ongoing discipline of letting go as leadership expands. He also shares how humility, preparation, prayerfulness, candor and trust have shaped the way he leads through uncertainty.
Leadership That Lasts
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