Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for managing communications mode neutrally using widgets. The method includes presenting via a graphical user interface (GUI) a set of connected graphical elements representing a communication session comprising at least two communicating users, wherein each graphical element representing a user further comprises at least one graphical sub-element indicating user communication details, receiving user input associated with the set of connected graphical elements, the user input having an action associated with the communication session, and performing the action based on the received user input. The graphical sub-elements can indicate a communication mode through which an associated user connects to the communication session and/or available communication modes for an associated user. The graphical sub-elements can include a telephone, mobile phone, instant message, camera, video camera, microphone, text-message, document, headset, or email icon.