Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesIndustrial IoT

The Shift in Workplace Communication

The shift from active to passive communication in the workplace, accelerated by COVID-19, poses challenges but also offers opportunities for more humane and transparent interactions. Passive communication, such as emails and texts, demands recipients to choose their response, while active communication needs scheduled meetings. Experts see potential benefits like increased empathy and directness in communications.

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Industrial IoT teams put it to work with AI Visibility (GEO).

By Howard Holton · Active CommunicationCarlos Vargas PodcastCommunicationCovid-19
Share
The Shift in Workplace Communication

Key takeaways

01

COVID-19 has accelerated the transition from active to passive workplace communication.

02

Passive communication requires recipients to decide their response to messages.

03

The transition enables more empathetic and transparent interactions.

One of the biggest challenges we’ve all faced in light of COVID-19, is a rapid transition from active to passive communication, especially in the workplace. When passive communication occurs, such as an email or text message, the recipient reads it, reacts to it, and then chooses to communicate or not by responding or ignoring the message. Because many employees are no longer working together in an office, there are much less opportunities for active communication, as you can’t walk up to someone’s desk if you need to speak to them. Now if you want to speak with someone audibly or visually, you need to schedule and wait for a phone or video meeting to occur.

While this shift to almost entirely passive communication has its challenges, Nasheen Liu, Founding Partner, The IT Media Group, sees potential benefits. “What this crisis has done, is that in some ways, or in a lot of ways, it actually has dismantled this stiff buttoned down corporate facade and it allows us to be more human. And we’ve discovered us, as real people, and with real lives. And you know, and this discovery is quite liberating for us as individuals, as well as businesses, when we communicate to others,” Liu said. She feels this is especially true when we communicate with our business partners, staff, and customers. “It really cuts down to what’s really important, right, so we allow ourselves to all of a sudden to be more direct, more honest, more open. And with the level of transparency, we’ve never experienced before. And there’s also that human layer, that humanity layer, right. So we are now more empathetic, show more compassion in our day to day communication, whether it be with our teams, or customers, or just a corporate communication to businesses,” Liu explained.

Make Sure to Subscribe to The Suite Spot to Stay Up to Date!https://marketscale.com/industries/original-series/the-suite-spot/

About the author

HH
Howard Holton

Industrial IoT: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Industrial IoT buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Industrial IoT expert. Imagine publishing your whole team.

This article was produced through MarketScale. Create a free workspace and turn your own team's Industrial IoT expertise into the articles, video, and social content B2B marketing buyers in your industry are searching for. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Industrial IoT Insights

IntelliFinishing Systems Adapt Better When Labor is Short

IntelliFinishing Systems Adapt Better When Labor is Short

Labor shortages are a significant issue in manufacturing, especially for skilled positions such as painting and finishing. Facilities with traditional finishing lines face operational disruptions when staff are absent. Automated finishing systems like IntelliFinishing can adapt better to varying labor availability.

  • 01Labor shortages continue to challenge the manufacturing sector, particularly for skilled roles.
  • 02Automated systems like IntelliFinishing are more adaptable to labor shortages compared to traditional finishing lines.
  • 03Absenteeism in traditional finishing operations can cause major disruptions.

Aug 6, 2026

Vention and FANUC America unify industrial and collaborative robots on a single AI platform

Vention and FANUC America unify industrial and collaborative robots on a single AI platform

Vention and FANUC America have collaborated to integrate FANUC's robot portfolio into Vention's AI-driven platform. This integration allows manufacturers to design, simulate, and deploy automated solutions more efficiently. The unified platform aims to streamline operations and enhance productivity in industrial and collaborative robotics.

  • 01Vention's AI-driven platform now includes FANUC's full robot portfolio.
  • 02Manufacturers can design, simulate, and deploy robots through a single unified platform.
  • 03The collaboration aims to streamline operations and enhance productivity in robotics.

Aug 5, 2026

AI safety agents hit zero misses in first industrial trials as automation sector accelerates

AI safety agents hit zero misses in first industrial trials as automation sector accelerates

The first industrial trials for AI safety agents in the automation sector have achieved a perfect recommendation capture rate. This milestone reflects the rapid acceleration and growing importance of automation in industrial settings. Leadership changes and new launches are further propelling the industry forward.

  • 01AI safety agents achieved a perfect recommendation capture rate in initial industrial trials.
  • 02The automation sector is rapidly accelerating with new launches and leadership changes.
  • 03AI safety deployments are crucial in enhancing operational efficiency and safety in industrial settings.

Aug 4, 2026

Explore More Industrial IoT Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Industrial IoT.

Browse Industrial IoT Hub

About the Experts

HH
Howard Holton

Industrial IoT Expert

Howard Holton is an expert in Industrial IoT, focusing on the evolution of workplace communication strategies. He analyzes the impact of emerging technologies on traditional business practices.

NL
Nasheen Liu

Founding Partner

The IT Media Group

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Industrial IoT and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512