How to Interrupt Others Without Being Intrusive

As remote work becomes more popular, asynchronous communication is a reality employees must grapple with. Interruptions are, of course, part of our professional lives, but there are ways to interject yourself into someone else’s workday without being annoying. First, assess how critical your request is, and let that urgency dictate how the request should be communicated. Does this need to be a phone call? An email? A text message? Consider what you’re asking this person to do and if it should be a priority for them. Also, limit your requests. If you’re asking about multiple action items, make sure you understand how this will disrupt the person you’re interrupting. Pay attention to the feedback they’re giving you, too. Requests are better received when they arrive at the right time. One indicator is if they are working with their virtual “door” open or closed. Check their calendar to make sure they’re not involved with some other task, and preface your request with a quick, “Do you have time to take care of something for me?”