How does instant messaging help to build strong relationships in hybrid teams

How does instant messaging help to build strong relationships in hybrid teams? 

In the era of remote work and hybrid teams, instant messaging has emerged as a powerful tool for team communication and internal communication. It provides a real-time and efficient way for team members to stay connected and collaborate, regardless of their physical location. Instant messaging has become a staple of modern communication and plays a crucial role in building strong relationships within hybrid teams. 

By facilitating quick and direct communication, instant messaging helps to create a sense of immediacy and fosters a collaborative environment where team members can work together seamlessly. It also allows for informal conversations that can help team members bond and build trust, which is essential for effective collaboration. 

In this blog, we will explore how instant messaging helps to build strong relationships in hybrid teams and why it is such an essential tool for modern team communication. We will also provide practical tips for making the most of instant messaging in your own hybrid team. 

1. Real-time communication and file sharing  

Instant messaging apps like Clariti have become a preferred tool for collaboration among knowledge workers. Clariti facilitates real-time communication, making it easier for team members to share ideas, ask questions, and coordinate work, all in one place. Clariti apps also enable file sharing, making it easy to share documents, images, and videos with team members. According to a study, 57% of knowledge workers prefer to use messaging apps for collaboration. 

2. Increased accessibility 

Instant messaging is accessible on smartphones, laptops, and desktops, making it easy for hybrid team members to stay connected even when they are not in the same location. According to a report by Pew Research, 81% of Americans own a smartphone, making instant messaging an easily accessible tool for communication. 

3. Enhances daily communication  

Instant messaging apps are now an integral part of daily communication among hybrid employees. With their ease of use and accessibility, messaging apps make it easy for team members to stay connected throughout the workday, regardless of their location. This frequent communication helps to build stronger relationships and can enhance team collaboration. A study by RingCentral found that 70% of employees use messaging apps to communicate with coworkers daily. 

4. Improved productivity 

A sense of connection and belonging is crucial to employee engagement and job satisfaction. By using instant messaging apps, team members can communicate with each other in real time, even when they are not physically present in the same location. This helps to build a sense of community and reduces feelings of isolation or disconnection for hybrid teams. HubSpot reports that 68% of employees say that messaging apps help them feel more connected to their colleagues. 

5. Increases engagement 

Instant messaging can increase engagement among team members, which can lead to stronger relationships. According to a survey by RingCentral, 68% of employees say that instant messaging apps help them feel more connected to their colleagues. 

6. Builds trust 

Instant messaging can help build trust among hybrid team members by allowing them to communicate quickly and easily. According to a survey by Gallup, 69% of employees who have a best friend at work are engaged, compared to just 31% who don’t. 

7. Improves communication clarity 

Effective communication is crucial to the success of any team, especially in hybrid work environments where team members may be working remotely or on different schedules. Instant messaging can help ensure that messages are delivered quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of miscommunication or confusion. Interact’s report found that 90% of employees say that clarity of communication is essential to their job performance. 

8. Enables quick decision-making 

Instant messaging can facilitate fast decision-making by allowing hybrid team members to communicate in real time and exchange information quickly. This can be especially valuable in situations where decisions need to be made quickly, such as in fast-paced industries or during a crisis. Forbes’ study found that 82% of decision-makers say they prefer to make decisions quickly. 

9. Builds rapport 

As mentioned earlier, having friends at work can have a significant impact on employee engagement. When team members feel a strong connection with their colleagues, they are more likely to feel invested in their work and committed to the success of the team. Gallup reports that employees who have a best friend at work are more likely to say they feel engaged at work. 

10. Reduces email clutter 

Email can be a time-consuming and inefficient way to communicate, especially for quick questions or informal conversations. Instant messaging can help reduce the need for email, freeing up time for more important tasks and improving productivity. Adobe’s survey found that the average worker spends 4.1 hours per week checking their work email. 

11. Enhances team culture 

A strong company culture can have a significant impact on hybrid employee engagement and retention. Instant messaging can be a valuable tool for building and reinforcing company culture, by facilitating informal conversations, team building, and sharing of values and goals. CultureIQ’s study found that companies with strong cultures have 65% higher engagement and 30% lower turnover rates. 

12. Improves work-life balance 

Work-life balance is a critical factor in employee satisfaction and retention. Instant messaging can help support work-life balance by allowing hybrid team members to communicate more efficiently, reducing the need for after-hours work or long email chains. By enabling more flexible communication, instant messaging can help team members manage their time more effectively, reducing stress and improving job satisfaction. Forbes’ survey found that 94% of employees say that work-life balance is essential to their job satisfaction. 

13. Supports remote work 

Remote work has become increasingly common in recent years, with many companies adopting hybrid work models that combine remote and in-office work. Instant messaging apps are essential tools for remote work, as they enable team members to communicate with each other in real-time, regardless of their location. Instant messaging apps can help remote workers feel more connected to their team and can help facilitate collaboration and communication. According to a survey by Gallup, 43% of employees work remotely at least some of the time. 

14. Enables collaboration 

Instant messaging can enable collaboration among hybrid team members by allowing them to share files, ideas, and feedback quickly and easily. According to a study by McKinsey, companies with effective collaboration are twice as likely to be top performers. 

15. Fosters a sense of belonging 

Instant messaging can foster a sense of belonging among hybrid team members by allowing them to communicate and collaborate seamlessly, even if they are not in the same location. According to a study by Harvard Business Review, employees who feel a sense of belonging are more productive, motivated, and engaged at work. 

Conclusion  

Instant messaging has become an essential tool for building strong relationships in hybrid teams. With its ability to facilitate real-time communication, improve accessibility, foster informal conversations, and build trust among team members, instant messaging can improve productivity, increase engagement, and enhance team culture. It can also enable quick decision-making, reduce email clutter, and improve work-life balance. Additionally, instant messaging can facilitate remote work, enable collaboration, and foster a sense of belonging among team members, regardless of their location. 

As the workplace continues to evolve towards hybrid models, where employees work both in the office and remotely, instant messaging is likely to become an even more important tool for building strong relationships among team members. By leveraging the benefits of instant messaging, organizations can build a more engaged and connected workforce, leading to improved productivity, greater innovation, and better business outcomes. 

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