Consider the Urgency of an Instant Message Before You Send It
When you and your team are working remotely and on different schedules, work-life boundaries can get blurry. So think carefully about how and when you send instant messages. The real-time nature of tools like Slack, for example, makes them an easy place to fire off quick questions or comments. When you send a note asking someone, “Can you just give this a glance?” or “Could you add your ideas to this document?,” the recipient might feel the need to reply right away. So, think about how urgent your request is — and how to communicate that urgency in a respectful way — before you send it. Ask your colleague, “Is this a good time?” If you don’t need a response right away, say, “No rush, but could you help me with something when you have a chance?” Respect “Do Not Disturb” mode. And try not to send messages during off hours. Even if you write something like, “Don’t respond to this until tomorrow,” chances are it will weigh on the recipient’s mind, and they might even feel pressure to reply. Instead, plan on sending the message when you know the person is online. These small gestures will amount to a culture of work-life balance that’s essential to any remote team.
This tip is adapted from “10 Digital Miscommunications — and How to Avoid Them,” by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy