Hi there,
A colleague reaches out with what feels like a simple question: Hey, is this done yet?
You answer… and then you start to wonder… wait, why are they asking about this?
Is a supervisor lacking clarity?
Is a stakeholder blocked?
😵💫 😬 🫠
⚡ Supercharge of the Week
Remote Octopus recommends sharing context with stakeholders when asking a question.
Context can inform how someone answers a question. It gives them clarity into the purpose of the question and the ability to tailor their reply to a specific audience.
EXAMPLE IN ACTION
Hi there! Wondering if Monday’s deck is complete yet? Just updating our internal delivery doc.
With this context, a simple yes, no, or unsure will likely suffice – but added context is always helpful if a deliverable is delayed.
EXAMPLE IN ACTION
Hi there! Wondering if Monday’s deck is complete yet? Jackson mentioned he wants to add some thoughts if we’re still working on it.
With this context, after answering yes/no, you might take additional steps:
Check the Share settings in Google Slides to ensure Jackson has edit access
Include the link to the deck in your reply
Ping Jackson 1:1 to ask if he has any additional questions
Keep your context simple and straightforward like the examples above. Your stakeholders will appreciate the ability to read quickly and maintain their momentum.
🔥 And the next time someone asks you a question without context?
EXAMPLE IN ACTION
Nia: Hi there! Wondering if Monday’s deck is complete yet?
You: Yes – any helpful context you can share on the question? Happy to provide additional details.
🐙 Remote Octopus Resources
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