Ineffective Communication With Your VA – Here Are Three Signs

Ineffective communication with your virtual assistant is not good for your business. Your VA is someone that you rely on. They help handle the tasks and responsibilities that consume your time, giving you the ability to focus on what matters most to you. However, when there are communication challenges or gaps, it can hurt your business. Learning the signs of ineffective communication can help you make quick adjustments so that you and your VA stay on track.

The Work Isn’t Done the Way You Want It To Be Done

When a project or task isn’t completed the way you want it to be completed, it’s very easy to blame the virtual assistant. The problem is that communication is a two-person job. It’s often the case that information, steps, or requirements were missed during the communication process. If the work isn’t being completed the way you want it to, it’s important to take a step back and ask why.

Review not only what you communicated to your virtual assistant but also how you communicated to them. For example, you might have talked about the task on the phone when email would have been more effective. Talk to your virtual assistant and try to learn what information was missed and why. Together, the two of you can create a communication process that works for both of you.

There Are Lots of Questions with Ineffective Communication

One of the wonderful benefits of working with a virtual assistant is that you can delegate and let go of many of the time-consuming tasks that prevent you from focusing on growing your business and living a balanced life. However, if there are communication gaps then you may spend all of that newfound free time answering questions and talking with your virtual assistant. That’s not a great way to run a business.

If you find that you’re always answering questions about work and projects, it’s time to take a look at how you’re communicating with them. Did they get the documentation that they need? What questions weren’t answered in the documentation and how can you better address those questions at the beginning?

You Feel The Need To “Check In”

If you provide your VA with everything that they need to do the job correctly and you’ve found a great VA, then there should be no urge to check in with them to see how they’re doing. This need to micromanage is often due to feeling like the VA needs your help or input. Assuming that you’ve communicated effectively, the need to check in should diminish, or disappear.

The goal is to feel confident so that you can focus on your own tasks and responsibilities. If you are feeling the need to see how your VA is doing, that can be a sign that there are communication gaps. Create a checklist for yourself; one that makes sure you have covered all the key points with your VA. Then you can step back and relax.