Dear Diane,
My department made the switch to Slack for project communications several months ago, and overall, it’s been a good solution for our team. That said, I’m noticing the etiquette of using such a tool is somewhat ambiguous for a select few on our staff. One group contributes to a constant stream of chatter that isn’t productive while another goes MIA when decisions need to be made. Do you have any Slack etiquette tips that I can incorporate? I want to be tactful while also alleviating the problem if possible.
Sincerely,
Joshua H.
Dear Joshua,
As noted in your email, Slack can be a wonderful tool in cutting down on inbox clutter and keeping project communications organized. It also helps to reduce the seemingly endless cycle of email CCing (copying any and everyone) that we’ve all been affected by at one time or another. While technology can be a great asset, its power (good or bad) often depends on the user. It seems you’ve run into a few etiquette dilemmas on the platform.
Slack 101
You mentioned Slack is relatively new to your group, which means a Slack refresher may be ideal. During your session, you (or someone in the office) can cover tips and tricks of the platform while also weaving in Slack etiquette reminders. It’s natural to assume people have a basic understanding of the do’s and don’ts, but often, it’s not the case.
Constant Updates
This faux pas is comparable to receiving a barrage of short emails from the same sender instead of one message that’s more considerate of your time. Depending on the relationship you share with the chatterbox, you may want to casually (and privately) mention that you’re having trouble keeping up with their many updates. Politely ask if they would consider condensing their messages. After all, the use of Slack is meant to streamline communication, not to add to an already full day. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking to them in person, a direct message is another option.
As a last resort (and if they are unwilling to change their behavior), you may want to mute the channel and set a reminder to check in every few hours. The Do Not Disturb tool may also be helpful when you need to focus on a task at hand.
“Ghost” Slacker
Regarding the “ghost” Slacker who drops off at the most inopportune times, a friendly @mention may be in order. If you share a building and a deadline is approaching, don’t shy away from knocking on their door or picking up the phone. When you speak with them, mention that you were surprised they’d gone missing from the group chat. Perhaps they got pulled in another direction or didn’t realize the issue was time sensitive.
Good luck,
Diane
