🔗 Use Hyperlinks
When your message is talking about something, include a link to that something. This is called Low Context Communication, and it's essential for remote work. Don't say "oh we discussed this on my last PR" without linking to that PR. When someone comes back and reads that message (you, most likely), they won't have to wonder about which PR you were referring to because you included a link.
And it's important to use hyperlinks. I hate reading messages that are broken up by huge, multi-line URLs. Every app supports hyperlinks now, so just use them.
And it's important to use hyperlinks. I hate reading messages that are broken up by huge, multi-line URLs. Every app supports hyperlinks now, so just use them.
📝 Spell Out Acronyms
While I won't give Elon a lot of credit, he's right about acronyms. They are a trash heap of tribal knowledge that make it very hard for newcomers to understand any of what you're saying. If you must use an acronym, define it the first time you use it in a message or document.
🤷🏼♂️ Pre-Answer Your Own Questions
There's a really nifty way to keep conversations short: answer all of your questions yourself. So instead of this:
Hey, did you still want to meet today?
Try this:
Hey, did you still want to meet today? If so, I can chat anytime between 2 and 4, so feel free to call me whenever. If not, I can meet Monday morning before noon.
See the difference? The first will lead to an inevitable back and forth of planning. The second version gives the recipient several clear choices, and makes planning far easier.
😮💨 Stop Writing Such Long Paragaphs
Look, I understand that paragraphs are supposed to have an opening sentence, 3-5 supporting sentences, and then a closing sentence. In reality, dense paragraphs like these are hard to read, especially on mobile devices.
Instead, pay attention to line count. Once you surpass two or three lines, give your words some room to breathe and hit enter twice.
Instead, pay attention to line count. Once you surpass two or three lines, give your words some room to breathe and hit enter twice.
🥸 Use The Sarcasm Mark
I love sarcasm as much as the next person, but it never comes through over text. Your sarcastic comment may make people laugh in person, but once it's written down, it'll make you look like a jerk.
If you still crave that sarcastic hit, add "/s" to the end of any sarcastic comments. If "/s" feels weird, then a good "lol jk" should work. At least then people will be able to tell when you're really trying to be a jerk. /s
If you still crave that sarcastic hit, add "/s" to the end of any sarcastic comments. If "/s" feels weird, then a good "lol jk" should work. At least then people will be able to tell when you're really trying to be a jerk. /s
🧐 Use More Emojis
I know, you're not an emoji person. I get it, really. I'm not an emoji-person either. But if your words can be misinterpreted, they will be. A little 🙂 goes a long way.
Emojis also have the benefit of adding visual breaks to long pieces of text. If you want people to easily scan through any documents you write, emojis in the header will make the whole thing seem more approachable.
Emojis also have the benefit of adding visual breaks to long pieces of text. If you want people to easily scan through any documents you write, emojis in the header will make the whole thing seem more approachable.
🙅🏼♂️"What's the Reason" Instead Of "Why"
No matter how many people I've worked with, seemingly everyone gets defensive when you ask "why did you..." Sure, you can argue and say that people shouldn't be so defensive, but I think it's a better idea to accept human nature and adjust accordingly.
There's a subtle phrase shift you can use that really lowers the stakes of any question: "what's the reason". Now, you're discussing reasons, not people. It seems simple, but it works.
There's a subtle phrase shift you can use that really lowers the stakes of any question: "what's the reason". Now, you're discussing reasons, not people. It seems simple, but it works.