Communication in the work place

Watch Arnt Maasø, associate professor in media and communication at the University of Oslo, talk about the changes in our working life and how this change has affected the way we communicate and co-operate at work.

Today's workplace is often organized around projects and in matrix organizations, with complex and shifting roles. Communication therefor is key for keeping track of and synchronizing tasks, especially in medium sized and large organizations. Empathic communication is especially important in teamwork – putting yourself in someone else's shoes – and keeping track of the four W’s (Who, What, Where and When). The empathic mindset is important in many situations and small and large processes and tasks explored in the following videos.


Introduction

Empathic communication and keeping track of the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) has become more important in today’s workplace. This introductory video explains how. The following videos go into different processes, skills and tasks, from planning meetings, using email and collaboration tools, planning your workflow and making documents searchable for colleagues.


Meetings

Think about the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) when planning and attending meetings, and using online calendars.


Documents

When saving, sharing, searching for documents, and adhering to the document governance routines at work, you need to have the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) in mind. 


Email

E-mail is still the most common tool in the workplace, and necessary to master–also for millennials. Have the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) in mind when you acquire the netiquette and conventions needed for work mail.


Annotation

Annotating an image or a webpage is part of the basic skills needed in today’s workplace. Use the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) when annotating, saving, and sharing files.


Independence

The ability to work independently is a sought-after skill in today’s workplace. This also implies that you communicate with your co-workers, and have the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) in mind when working alone and together in teams.


Collaboration tools

Collaborative software like Slack and MS Teams has changed the way 8 of 10 businesses operate. Use the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) to make collaboration better.


Planning

When tasks and teams change and, and you are part of a bigger picture, planning your part of the work process is key. Have the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) in mind when planning your work, and learn about the Eisenhower matrix when prioritizing tasks.


URLs and QR codes

Communication varies according to specific situations and contexts. Sometimes this means that QR codes or short URLs are more effective or suitable. Have the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) to help decide when and how to use them.


Search

Searching for and processing information is a central skill at today’s workplace. Have the four W’s (Who, What, Where, When) in mind to make your work searchable, and your searches more effective.