The Golden Rule: Always Assume Positive Intent

We lose  layers of subconscious  information, even with video on. When  working

remotely,  we must ALWAYS assume positive intent until we confirm otherwise. If

something  seems harsh, say  it back to yourself as a valley girl  or a curious child

Written Communication

• Strive for Clarity: In email and chat, present digestible chunks of information and surface main points as a bullet/numbered list.  
• Strive for Brevity: Before you send, try to rewrite with 30 percent less words.
• Strive for Directness:  Respond directly to the question being asked
• Ask for confirmation: When communicating critical or nuanced information, ask if clarification is needed.
• Slow Down: Be sure others are finished speaking. When working in a distributed team, make sure we aren't experiencing a technology-based communications lag. When speaking, leave time for questions between statements.

Visual Communication

• Radiate information: Use the tools at your disposal to keep everyone apprised of your progress and status
• Collaborate: Use the tools you can to collaborate and team build.
• Be Visible: Ensure others know if and when you are available.
• Replicate the Shared Work space: Use the tools and technology to function as much like a team in a shared work space as possible

Verbal Communication

• Slow Down: Be sure others are finished speaking. When working in a distributed team, make sure we aren't experiencing a technology-based communications lag. When speaking, leave time for questions between statements.

• Be inclusive: Solicit the opinions of people who are uncomfortable or not engaged.

• Strive for Clarity of Intent: Express if you are stating a question, opinion or a fact. When expressing an opinion, use statements that start with "I believe that", "I think that", or "In my opinion", or other similar phrases for opinions. For facts, try statements like "The current state of the system", "I have verified that", "This was confirmed by", or "I am not sure if".
• Strive for Brevity: Think about what you want to say before you say it. Make sure your intent is clear and easily understood. Make your main point in the first sentence, then support it with a few more if needed. Then, pause and wait for questions.
• Strive for Directness: Make sure to answer the question being asked or speak directly to the issue. 
• Ask for confirmation: After you finish communicating critical or nuanced information, ask if everyone understands what was said. Listen for uncertainty
• Listen for Uncertainty: Actively listen for verbal cues that tell us if someone understands or agrees or not.

Procedural Communication

• Manage Your Work: Keep status and ownership of work items up to date. (see: Work Item Management Best Practices)