Braided Communications

I'm still baffled why everything is a Zoom call. I will die in a ditch that Video calls are the devil. In person is wonderful because you can get SO much more information in person, you can sense each other, you can feel part of something, you demonstrate commitment to each other, as an introvert it's draining, but it's worthwhile. Email is great, reading is far far more efficient for conveying information than talking, material can be shared and sent on, it can be looked at later, it can act as evidence, it can be asynchronous. Asynchronous is one of the greatest levers to productivity there is, but few people think of it this way. More on that another day. Phone calls are wonderful. You can build a bit of rapport, you can exchange ideas fast, unlike email, you can resolve things in seconds in real time. You can focus on what's been said, you can hear tone and meaning. You can also take them on the go, in Ubers, on buses, while having a walk, while the kids are getting ready for school. Video calls are essentially most of the worst parts of all of these. ❌ Draining like a real life meeting, but no rapport ❌ Synchronous like a phone call, but you can't take on the go. ❌ Demanding like a phone call, but you don't demonstrate commitment Worse still is the way people use them. - People are driving to offices to make zoom calls, this makes no sense, offices are the worst places on the planet to do Zoom calls, and why drive to a place to "not meet" people. - People are doing them in Airline lounges because the social norms about showing your face are still not set. - People are using them to build relationships, when it puts off most people. We need to think way more about the best way to get something done. Quite often its an in person meeting Quite often its by email Quite often its by a phone call or a conference call The times Zooms can be best is quite limited. - Sharing slides live ( but honestly, just have a chat, slides are death) - Trying to have a complex group debate, but you're all far away and it's urgent - A regular team meeting with 3-12 people, where people already know each other, and you're trying to add a slightly enhanced sense of togetherness and informality. One thing I don't get is that in November 2019, we had abundance fast free video calling, and most companies never used them. This wasn't because we didn't know they existed, it's because they were a bad idea. Then Covid came and social norming means we're all loosing our souls and having every ounce of energy sapped from our bodies staring into a screen because of social norming, not efficiency. Zoom is great, but as the last choice, not the first. If the world was logical, I'd invent Audio only Google Hangouts. A link you click to get a team of people on one "line".

“When a candidate says, ‘I struggle with face-to-face meetings. This role doesn’t require them, so why is the interview face-to-face?’” The traditional interview process doesn’t work for everyone. The Braided Interview by Rob Brougham and Braided Communications uses a groundbreaking approach that rethinks inclusivity in recruitment. In a Braided Interview, candidates receive questions in advance, and during the interview, they answer via text in a chat window - no video or audio required. This format allows candidates to thoughtfully express themselves without the pressure of face-to-face interactions, making the process more inclusive and supportive of diverse communication styles. 🎧 Listen to the full podcast or read the transcript: https://lnkd.in/eiVQKUz7 #Inclusivity #Recruitment #Diversity #Innovation #Equity #Leadership

Spotlight on Rob Brougham and Braided Communications At NEOSITY, we’re excited to highlight Rob Brougham, CEO of Braided Communications, and his amazing team. Starting with solutions for space missions, they’ve developed tools like Braided Meetings and Braided Interviews to break down communication barriers and create more inclusive workplaces. We were thrilled to have Rob share his insights at our recent NEON Knowledge-Sharing session, where he showed how these tools empower neurodivergent individuals to fully participate and thrive. Discover more about their innovative work at Braided Communications and how they’re transforming communication in today’s work environment. 💡

I’m reading a lot of meeting buzz lately, and here’s what has blown my mind. First and foremost, there’s no denying that meetings are extremely important, but stretching them out or filling them with unnecessary discussions is not cool. Recent research from Fellow shows that nearly 40% of managers are spending over 15 hours a week in meetings, while 12% of non-management employees are also dedicating that much time weekly, which is a significant increase from just 9% in 2019. That’s a staggering 392 hours per year spent in meetings! But what truly blew my mind was this: >>> 71% of meetings are considered unproductive by employees. Can you see the implications here? The impact of poorly managed meetings is greater than we might imagine. It’s high time we rethink our approach. While there are countless techniques and tools out there, let’s focus on some basics that are absolutely non-negotiables (principles I follow thoroughly): 1/ Before you hit “send” on that meeting invite, ensure there’s a clear agenda outlining topics, goals, and who will lead each discussion point. This keeps everyone aligned and accountable. 2/ Aim for 30 minutes or less for most meetings. This creates a sense of urgency and keeps discussions focused. If you need more time, consider breaking it into two sessions. 3/ Empower your team to say “no” to meetings that don’t serve a purpose. This culture shift can lead to a significant reduction in meeting overload. 4/ Capture attention within the first few minutes. Start with a quick round of updates or a thought-provoking question to set the tone for engagement. 5/ Always conclude with a summary of decisions made and action items assigned to specific individuals. 6/ Regularly check in with your team to gauge how meetings can be improved. This can be invaluable in refining our approach. 7/ Leverage tools and platforms that enhance collaboration and communication. Bonus: 8/ Designate specific days each week as meeting-free to give your team uninterrupted time for focused work. Let’s commit to making our meetings more effective and our workdays more meaningful. What strategies do you find effective in managing your meeting culture? PS: Kudos to Chris Donnelly for sharing this great guide on making meetings productive. #Meetings #Effectivemeetings

🎙𝐄𝐩 𝟔𝟑𝟗: 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐲 𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐀 Job interviews have always been a source of anxiety for many people. The pressure of showcasing your achievements to a stranger in an unnaturally structured conversation is not easy, and for many neuro-diverse people, it is pretty much impossible. The use of #Ansychronous video interviews has helped the situation in some ways but doesn’t provide the opportunity for real-time conversation and exploration, which is critical in the later stages of the recruiting process. Could a methodology initially designed to combat communication delays in space travel offer a solution that bridges the gap between synchronous and asynchronous interviewing in a way that is inclusive for everyone? My guest on this episode is Rob Brougham, Director & Co-Founder of Braided Communications. Rob worked with #NASA to develop a unique way of helping astronauts have real-time conversations with people back on Earth on future missions to the moon and Mars. He is now using the same technology to make the recruiting process more inclusive and effective. So how does this all work? Listen to find out more. In the interview, we discuss: • A simple way of defying the laws of physics in space travel • How Braiding works • Making the asynchronous synchronous. • Co-presence and connection • The importance of inclusive communication • Applications in talent acquisition • Making interviews real-time and inclusive • What does the future of business communication look like? 🔗 Listen here https://bit.ly/4gkyAQQ or wherever you get your podcasts.