Be it emailing a distant relative, replying to your friend on the group chat, or joining colleagues for a Zoom meeting – communicating online is the new normal. Sure, it might be quicker, but are we actually communicating more effectively? In this episode, we discuss whether there are just some things that are better said in-person, and whether all mediums for online communication should be considered equal. We also delve into the science of Zoom-fatigue, and uncover how to feel less exhausted by the constant screen time. Join us to find out how you can communicate well online (and stay well doing it!)

📊 Key research studies we discussed:

• Work-from-anywhere associated with a 4.4% increase in work output vs. work-from-home: Work-from-anywhere: The productivity effects of geographic flexibility (Strategic Management Journal, 2021)
• Communication gap when conveying emotion online: Egocentrism over e-mail: Can we communicate as well as we think? (Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 2005)
• Communication gap when asking for help online: Should I ask over zoom, phone, email, or in-person? Communication channel and predicted versus actual compliance (Social Psychological and Personality Science, 2021)
• Videoconference meetings increase fatigue with immediate effect: Videoconference fatigue? Exploring changes in fatigue after videoconference meetings during COVID-19 (Journal of Applied Psychology, 2021)

📚 Books and other resources:

• The state of workplace communication in 2024 (Forbes Advisor, 2023)
• New data: US & UK office workers say it's time to rethink digital communication for the modern workplace (GlobalNewswire, 2022)
• Stanford researchers identify four causes for ‘Zoom fatigue’ and their simple fixes (Stanford News, 2021)
• Can virtual meeting spaces save us all from Zoom fatigue? (The Guardian, 2021)
• Designing the new hybrid meeting experience – for everyone (Microsoft, 2023)

📱 Connect with us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter @getbrighterpod

We thank the South West Doctoral Training Partnership for supporting this podcast and Rhannan Lacey for audiography, videography, and production.