Voice communication at work.
WHY IT STILL MATTERS
Some things resolve in minutes by voice that take days in writing.
WHEN TO CALL RATHER THAN WRITE
Disagreement Anything sensitive Complex matters needing back and forth Urgency
WHAT TO DO BEFORE CALLING
Establish what you want from it.
WHAT TO DO AT THE START
Say who you are and why you are calling.
WHY
The recipient is orienting for the first few seconds.
WHAT TO ASK
Whether it is a convenient moment.
WHY
It costs nothing and it improves the conversation.
WHAT TO DO DURING
Take notes.
WHAT TO NOTE
Decisions Commitments Figures Dates
WHAT TO DO AT THE END
Summarise what was agreed, aloud.
WHY
It surfaces misunderstanding while both parties are present.
WHAT TO DO IMMEDIATELY AFTER
Send a written summary.
WHY IMMEDIATELY
Recollection diverges quickly, and the first written account frames it.
WHAT TO AVOID
Calling for things that could be written Long calls with no agenda Agreeing to things without time to consider
WHAT TO SAY IF PRESSED FOR A DECISION
That you will confirm shortly.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT VOICEMAIL
State who, why, and what you need, briefly.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT CALLS YOU MISSED
Return them.
