I try to challenge status quo but with a smile on my face and lots of positive attitude! As an avid leader of digital collaboration I kindly ask if my stakeholders would like some suggestions on how we could collaborate better and on their own terms. This usually works to avoid the dark deep corners of an Outlook email inbox. Using well-structured channels and teams, with clear tabs linking to planners and notebooks, we can often transition to a more interactive type of communication. Most organizations are stuck in the "push phase", where I always inspire to go to the "pull phase", where members get their information themselves, and if possible reach for the "interactive phase" where we use modern, transparent tools to interact.

Having been through this, let me tell you this first, adapting communication for a diverse team means being audience-aware. Start by 1. Understanding each stakeholder’s preferences—some prefer detailed emails, others short updates or visual dashboards. 2. Adjust tone and language to match cultural and professional norms, ensuring clarity and respect. 3. Practice active listening and invite feedback to foster inclusivity. 4. Avoid jargon unless the group shares technical expertise. 5. Use multiple channels—video, chat, reports—to reinforce key messages. Most importantly, remain empathetic and flexible, tailoring your approach to ensure everyone feels heard, valued, and aligned toward shared goals.

Great points. The simple way I look at it is, firstly, figure out what they care about most and where there focus is (cost, speed, flexibility etc…) From there match the format to their style (some prefer slides and detail, others just want a quick more conversational call). Most importantly keep it simple, doesn’t matter how complex the topic is you want to simplify it, focus in on what they care about most and ensure there is an exchanged value there. Everyone’s got a different lens, so meeting them where they are makes all the difference.