CIOs feel more connected to colleagues thanks to the prevalence of smartphones, instant messaging, and other new technologies, according to the results of a poll from Robert half Technology.

Of 1,400 respondents, more than half say they are much more connected or somewhat more connected to co-workers given the prevalence of new technologies in the workplace. Another 33% say they are neither more nor less connected.

However, e-mail gets the edge in terms of being the preferred way for IT staff to communicate with each other in the office, as chosen by 43% of respondents. Next was in-person conversation, with 36% of the vote; phone, with 10%; followed by instant messaging, as chosen by 4% of IT leaders. Text messaging got 2%.

Katherine Spencer Lee, executive director of Robert Half Technology, notes that e-mail is great for fast exchanges and documenting decisions. But when your message contains potentially sensitive communication, in-face communication is best.

“Companies that make difficult decisions in response to a more challenging business climate must communicate proactively and diplomatically with staff,” says Lee. “It’s not just the content of the message, but the manner in which it’s delivered that has an effect on employees and how they, in turn, communicate with each other.”

Amy Schurr is the former managing features editor of Network World.