Use technology--don't let it use you.

• Author: Nelson, Bob
• Position: Rewarding Employees

Whereas today's office technology can make us more efficient, it also tends to have an alienating effect, creating more distance in work relationships. Employees are spending more "face time" interfacing with their computer than they are in interacting with their boss or co-workers. Although an increasing number of workers are on "electronic leashes" (cell phones, pagers, instant messaging, etc.), the more "connected" we become, the less "connection" we seem to have to one another.

A recent study by Pitney Bowes on messaging tools and practices reveals that U.S. workers are now receiving over 200 messages per day -- more than ever before. What's the impact of this constant bombardment of messages and increased use of technology? And what can be done to minimize the problems of increased technology use? A lot, I believe. Here's some advice that can help keep the human element as we make greater use of technology:

1) Get to know people before ore you communicate. All rapport comes from shared experiences. Make sure you take time to establish relationships with coworkers in relation to the length of time you expect to be working with them. Trust and respect are difficult to establish through the exclusive use of one-way, electronic communication, but they are an important foundation in every working relationship. Since an estimated 90 percent of all communication occurs at the nonverbal level, what you don't see in your interactions might hurt your relationships.

2) Be aware of technology's limitations when you communicate. Don't have electronic communication replace a personal meeting just for sake of efficiency. Think of when it works well to use voicemail or e-mail, for example, and when a personal meeting would be better. Avoid the use of electronic communication for dealing with sensitive or complex issues.

3) Use electronic communication to enhance relationships. For example, I know one manager who makes a point of using his cell phone to leave "thank you" voicemails for others as he commutes home each evening. He keeps his messages 100 percent positive and avoids rolling them into additional work problems or assignments. I know another manager who copies his manager on all praising e-mails he sends to any of his employees. When it comes...