How much communication is too much communication in the workplace? Are you using tools just for the sake of using them?
A worst case example I can recall was over email. I sent out an email indicating I’d be away from phone and internet service for 3 hours, and that any issues that needed to be addresses would be taken care of upon my return. This email was not read, and a 40-50 email exchange took place between several members of our project team that could have been resolved by 1 phone call if I was within service range (or if anyone had bothered to read my out of office message.
Sure enough, once I arrived after being unavailable for three hours, I made one phone call, and the entire situation was resolved.
Something to reflect on for any workplace – before you communicate, be sure you have all the necessary information before starting off a flurry of unproductive communication.
