One Slack habit to fix this week

Here’s a quick tip for your workweek.

My Take

The “Hi Cliffhanger” is hurting you

You know, when someone just messages you without ANY additional context…

“Hey”

“Do you have a sec?”

“Quick question”

…and then radio silence while the other person sits there wondering what’s wrong.

I call this the Hi Cliffhanger, and while you’re probably trying to be polite, it often comes across as less confident and not very respectful of the other person’s time.

Send the context and the ask in the same message.

Write the whole thing before you hit send. Don’t make someone wait for the second message to understand the first.

So instead of:

“Hey…”

Try: “Hey — can you approve the budget request today so we can submit it?”

Same opener. Completely different experience for the person on the other end.

And you’ll look more direct, more considerate, and more senior — just by how you send a message.

Feel free to not-so-subtly forward this to someone who needs it!