Chat tools like Slack and Teams have their own etiquette, and getting it right keeps you professional and easy to work with. Here's a practical guide.
Be clear and use threads
Keep messages clear and concise, and use threads to keep conversations organized. Posting everything in the main channel creates noise; threading keeps things tidy and easy to follow.
Respect response norms
Chat feels instant, but not everything needs an immediate reply — respect focus time and status settings. For urgent things, say so; for non-urgent, don't expect instant answers. Match your team's rhythm.
Know when to switch to a call
Frequently asked questions
What's good Slack and Teams etiquette?
Be clear, use threads, respect response norms and focus time, and switch to a call when things get complex.
Do I need to reply to chat instantly?
No — respect focus time; mark truly urgent things as urgent.
When should I switch from chat to a call?
When a discussion goes back and forth or gets complex or tense.
How can I improve my remote communication?
Book a free 30-minute class to work on it 1-on-1 with Digby R. Kerr.
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