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

AI kaizens, agentic systems, and pricing pressure: what manufacturers are actually doing with IIoT in 2026

AI kaizens, agentic systems, and pricing pressure: what manufacturers are actually doing with IIoT in 2026

The industrial sector is transitioning its use of AI from pilot programs to operational applications, particularly on the plant floor. Companies are exploring AI-driven kaizens, agentic systems, and are debating outcome-based pricing models as part of their industrial IoT strategies. This shift indicates a move towards integrating AI technology more deeply into manufacturing processes by 2026.

  • 01Industrial AI is shifting from pilot projects to operational use in manufacturing facilities.
  • 02Outcome-based pricing models are being debated within the industrial AI sector.
  • 03AI-driven kaizens and agentic systems are being utilized in industrial IoT strategies.

Jul 24, 2026

Industrial manufacturing M&A hits $173 billion as convergence deals crowd out single-theme bets

Industrial manufacturing M&A hits $173 billion as convergence deals crowd out single-theme bets

The industrial manufacturing M&A sector has reached $173 billion, with a 28% increase year-over-year. Mega-deals and strategic buyers are the primary drivers of this surge, as reported by PwC in their 2026 midyear outlook. The focus on convergence deals is overshadowing single-theme investments in the industry.

  • 01Industrial manufacturing M&A has surged to $173 billion.
  • 02There is a 28% year-over-year increase in industrial M&A activity.
  • 03Convergence deals are becoming more prevalent, overshadowing single-theme investments.

Jul 23, 2026

Most mid-sized manufacturers are stuck in AI pilot purgatory, Kaufman Rossin research finds

Most mid-sized manufacturers are stuck in AI pilot purgatory, Kaufman Rossin research finds

A significant majority of mid-sized manufacturing companies are still in the testing phase of AI deployment, with 73% unable to achieve full operational status. Kaufman Rossin's research indicates that these companies are facing challenges in moving beyond pilot programs. The lack of full AI integration is a common issue across the sector.

  • 0173% of manufacturing companies are still in the AI testing phase.
  • 02No mid-sized manufacturer has fully deployed AI operationally.
  • 03Many manufacturers are unable to progress beyond pilot AI programs.

Jul 23, 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