The Illusion of Transparency: Building a Remote Culture with Effective Communication

Hatched by Kazuki
Aug 26, 2023
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The Illusion of Transparency: Building a Remote Culture with Effective Communication
In both personal and professional settings, effective communication is essential for understanding and connecting with others. However, there is a common phenomenon known as the illusion of transparency that often hinders our ability to accurately perceive and convey our thoughts and emotions.
The illusion of transparency refers to the gap between our subjective experience and what others perceive. We tend to overestimate how much others can understand or interpret our feelings and thoughts. This can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication, causing unnecessary stress and conflict.
In social situations, we often feel like there is a spotlight shining on us, as if everyone is paying close attention to our every move and emotion. However, the reality is that people are usually far more absorbed in their own subjective experiences to pick up on subtle cues related to our feelings. They are simply not as attentive to our internal states as we might believe.
To overcome the illusion of transparency, it is crucial to start by accepting that others do not usually know what we are thinking or feeling. If we want someone to understand our mental state, we need to communicate it clearly and explicitly. Assuming that others can accurately perceive our emotions is a recipe for misunderstandings.
Instead of making assumptions about how someone else feels, it is always better to ask them directly for confirmation. We should not assume that we have correctly interpreted their emotions because more often than not, we are mistaken. If the matter is important, it is essential to double-check and ensure that we have understood correctly.
In a study conducted on public speaking, it was found that when speakers were made aware of the illusion of transparency beforehand, they were less concerned about how their audience perceived them. As a result, they felt less nervous and were able to deliver better speeches, as assessed by both themselves and the audience. This highlights the importance of being aware of this phenomenon and its potential impact on our communication skills.
While the illusion of transparency is often observed in personal interactions, it also has implications for building a remote culture in a professional setting. In a remote work environment, effective communication becomes even more crucial as team members are physically separated.
Job van der Voort, an expert in building remote cultures, emphasizes the importance of getting the nitty-gritty details of hiring and onboarding right. Providing new hires with the necessary equipment, such as laptops and stable internet connections, is essential for them to perform their jobs effectively. Additionally, ensuring that they have a comfortable and productive remote work setup is crucial for their success.
Van der Voort also highlights the benefit of building concentrations of people in a specific location. This allows for more frequent and meaningful interactions among team members, reducing the sense of isolation that remote workers may experience. Furthermore, when employees are located in the same area, they are more likely to hire their friends, which can quickly build a hub and foster a sense of community within the organization.
In a remote company, it is important to prioritize written communication over relying solely on recurring meetings or All Hands sessions. Taking the time to document and write out important information before announcing it ensures that the message is clear and easily accessible to all team members. This helps mitigate the potential for misunderstandings and allows for effective communication across the organization.
As a remote company grows, it becomes increasingly challenging to have everyone participate in lengthy meetings. At around 25 people, it is no longer feasible to have a 30-minute meeting where everyone has the opportunity to speak. This highlights the need for efficient and concise communication methods, such as written updates and asynchronous discussions, to ensure that information is effectively shared and understood.
In conclusion, the illusion of transparency affects both personal and professional communication. To overcome this illusion, we must accept that others cannot accurately perceive our thoughts and feelings without clear and explicit communication. In a remote work environment, effective communication becomes even more crucial, and attention to detail in hiring and onboarding is essential. Building concentrations of people and prioritizing written communication can help foster a strong remote culture. By being mindful of the illusion of transparency and implementing these strategies, we can enhance our communication skills and build successful remote teams.
Three actionable advice to enhance communication in the face of the illusion of transparency:
- 1. Be explicit and clear when expressing your thoughts and emotions. Do not assume that others can accurately interpret your internal states.
- 2. Prioritize written communication in a remote work environment. Document important information and ensure it is easily accessible to all team members.
- 3. Build concentrations of people in specific locations to foster a sense of community and encourage meaningful interactions among team members.
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