(Virtual)Communication is Key

“Communication is key” – we have all heard the saying at one point or another. What I’ve come to realize is that this saying rings true not only for verbal communication, but virtual as well. What do I mean by that? Well, the biggest challenge that the virtual format has presented for me so far is embracing virtual communication, as much as I embrace in-person communication. Specifically, not being afraid to communicate with the rest of the team when I need clarification on a project or task, or want to ensure I’m on track. 

Ever since I was in high school I have been a question-asker. You know the type, the person who raises their hand after every single thing the teacher says, usually someone who never stops talking (literally just never shuts up) – yeah that’s me. Yet for some reason at the start of my time at Lee and London I had this idea in my head that I was being annoying or pushy when I would ask questions. Entirely off-brand (as I like to say) from the usual 20 questions game I like to play with just about anyone I speak to. Maybe it was because I was sending instant messages or email, rather than face to face interaction, so I felt like I was spamming people rather than having a normal conversation, or maybe I was just nervous because I’ve never worked in a professional environment like this before. Whatever it may have been,  I let this fear of not wanting to ask questions get in my head, and it impacted my work performance. I was making silly mistakes that could have easily been solved just by asking a question.