Good communication keeps teams running smoothly – whether in the office or remote. Microsoft Teams and Slack help, but using them effectively is key.
This guide covers best practices for clear, organized, and stress-free communication so you can avoid notification overload, manage messages better, and make the most of these tools. Let’s get started!
In this article, you will read about the best communication practices for Slack and Microsoft Teams that keep conversations clear and organized. You will learn how to manage notifications, streamline your workflow, and use emojis to enhance collaboration. You will also find out how to balance synchronous and asynchronous communication to build a better workplace communication culture.
Imagine this: You send an important message to your team on Slack, assuming they’ll see it immediately. Hours pass. No response. Was your message buried under a flood of unread messages? Did notifications fail to grab their attention? Or was your wording unclear?
These are common communication pitfalls in today’s digital workplace. The rise of remote and hybrid work has made clear, effective communication more significant than ever. Without proper communication channels, teams struggle with misalignment, duplicated efforts, and missed deadlines.
Microsoft Teams and Slack play a pivotal role in bridging this gap. They offer structured ways to communicate – whether through direct messaging, channels, or video meetings. However, they also present challenges:
By implementing the best practices outlined in this article, you can ensure that your team’s communication remains clear, organized, and effective.
Fact: According to studies, promoting a positive culture with recognition, psychological safety, and a friendly tone of voice in Slack and Teams fosters a stronger sense of community [Source: slack.com, July 2019, Effectively Using Means of Communication in the Workplace].
Both Microsoft Teams and Slack are designed to enhance team collaboration, but they serve slightly different audiences.
For a detailed comparison, check out our dedicated article on Slack vs. Teams on the Calamari blog.
Great communication starts with great habits. Whether you’re using Slack or Teams, structuring conversations properly, managing notifications, and using tools like emojis effectively can make all the difference.
A well-structured workspace keeps messages from getting lost in the noise. Here’s how to optimize your communication channels:
Optimizing your team chat structure ensures that important messages are easy to find and follow.
Fact: According to the newest findings, defaulting to public channels instead of private chats increases transparency and helps distributed teams collaborate more effectively [Source: slack.com, March 2025, Collaborate with kindness: Consider these etiquette tips in Slack].
Notifications should work for you – not overwhelm you. Too many alerts can lead to ignored messages, while too few may cause you to miss key updates. Here’s how to fine-tune your notification settings:
Silence notifications strategically – in Slack, use “Do Not Disturb” to mute distractions. In Teams, customize your alerts so you’re only notified about high-priority messages.
Prioritize unread messages – use Slack’s unread messages filter or Microsoft Teams' Activity Feed to catch up on missed updates efficiently.
By managing notifications wisely, you can maintain focus without missing critical information.
Fact: One of the reports shows that using statuses like “In a meeting” or setting Do Not Disturb modes ensures work hours are respected and reduces interruptions in remote communication [Source: careerservicers.hsutx.edu, March 2025].
A thumbs-up, a party popper, or even a well-placed 😂 can add clarity to digital conversations. Slackmoji/Slack emojis (custom emojis in Slack) in Teams create a fun, engaging way to communicate.
Using emojis properly in a Slack communication app helps streamline conversations while keeping team interactions engaging.
Fact: The newest information shows that replacing short follow-up Slack messages with emoji reactions saves time and streamlines workflows across communication platforms [Source: slack.com, March 2025, Collaborate with kindness: Consider these etiquette tips in Slack].
A common mistake is treating Slack and Teams like a real-time conversation tool. Instead, balance video meetings with online chatting to suit different work styles.
Knowing when to hold a group meeting versus when to use online chatting prevents unnecessary disruptions while keeping communication fluid.
Even the best tools come with challenges. Here’s how to tackle common roadblocks:
Solution:
Customize your notification settings. Mute non-essential channels and prioritize alerts for direct mentions or key projects.
Solution:
Write concise, actionable messages. Instead of “Let’s sync later,” try “Let’s meet at 2 PM to finalize the Q2 report.”
Solution:
Be selective with integrations. While Slack and Teams offer many third-party apps, too many can clutter the workspace. Stick to essential ones like project management tools or HR software.
Effective communication is the foundation of productive remote work. By setting communication guidelines, posting useful updates, and leveraging tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom, HR teams can streamline workflows and foster a collaborative culture. From emoji reactions to project management integrations, these practices help team members feel connected and keep Slack channels and Teams chats clear, structured, and engaging.
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Even with the best practices in place, questions always come up. Should you use Slack or Teams? How do you manage notifications without feeling overwhelmed? And what’s the deal with Slackmoji in Microsoft Teams?
To help you navigate these tools effectively, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about communication channels, notifications, unread messages, and more. Let’s clear up the confusion and make your workplace communication smoother than ever!
To keep workplace communication clear, post useful information you share in a team Slack channel with context and set clear expectations for response times. This helps remote team members streamline their workflow and avoid misunderstanding when collaborating.
In a Slack workspace, use descriptive channel names and communication guidelines to help team members access the latest updates. Good communication strategies make Slack more productive by aligning each specific team around a shared purpose.
Workplace communication directly impacts productivity and problem-solving, especially for remote work. High-performing teams thrive when internal communications foster a collaborative culture across the organization.
Remote communication works best when you balance synchronous team meetings with asynchronous Slack messages or chats. Tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams streamline communication and collaboration while helping distributed teams set expectations around work hours.
A good communication tool like Slack or Microsoft Teams helps team members feel connected while supporting project management and training sessions. By using digital communication effectively, HR teams can streamline workflows and enhance productivity in a remote team.
Emojis and emoji reactions in Slack communication reduce clutter by replacing short “got it” replies with a visual acknowledgment. This makes team members feel heard and creates a sense of collaborative culture and better workplace communication.
Use Zoom and Teams meetings for real-time, work-related agenda discussions, while relying on asynchronous Slack messages for less urgent updates. Setting a meeting agenda helps in keeping your team focused and prevents disruption of work and personal life.
When you streamline your workflow by integrating tools like Google Drive or SharePoint with Slack or Teams, you enhance project management. This way to communicate ensures team members access the latest documents while maintaining effective communication across the organization.
Clear communication guidelines set the right tone of voice and help set clear expectations for response times in a remote team. Guidelines to help HR teams and managers establish boundaries around work hours foster a better work environment.
Effective communication strategies in a team Slack channel or Microsoft Teams workspace help team members collaborate faster on problem-solving. By creating a sense of belonging and using the chat for both work-related and interests outside of work, high-performing teams thrive.
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