If my manager ever texts me “hi,” “hello,” or “hey,” without any further context, I will assume that I’m fired. It’s the only logical conclusion. Let’s talk more about why and how to respond to such messages without assuming that you’re fired.
The History of Hello
When you call someone on the phone, it’s not clear when the other person is there-unless they say something first.
- The English word “hello” was invented in the 1800s to confirm that both people are on the line.
Get to the point
Saying “hi” or “good morning” makes communication take longer
- The default is to just explain what you want or need
- Not doing that implies you have something serious to say
- If you ever say “Hi” to your direct report, don’t panic-just keep typing
But what if I actually do want to fire you?
It’s better to have conversations like these face to face, not via text
- Consider scheduling a one-on-one session so there’s no pre-conversation anxiety
- Let them know the context of the conversation before starting the call or phone conversation
