Please Don’t Say Just “Hi” on Slack or Teams
We’ve all seen it. That little ping in Slack or Teams that reads nothing more than: “Hi.” And then… nothing.
You wait. And wait. Eventually, the real question comes in. But by then, momentum is lost, and your productivity has taken a hit.
In real-time messaging, saying only “hello” isn’t just unhelpful — it’s a small but frustrating blocker in the flow of work. It delays responses, wastes time, and puts the burden on others to wait for you to get to the point. In async work, clarity and context are everything.
Here’s why saying just “hi” isn’t enough — and how to make your chats more effective and respectful.
Why “Hi” Alone Doesn’t Work
When you say only “hi,” the other person can’t do anything with that.
They don’t know what you need or how urgent it is. It’s like calling someone on the phone, saying “hello,” and then going silent.
Instead of starting a conversation, you’re putting it on pause.
It Delays Progress
A simple “hi” usually leads to this:
You: hi
Them (5 mins later): hey, what’s up?
You: just wondering if we’re still on for 3?
Now you’ve lost 5–10 minutes when you could’ve just asked the question right away.
It’s Not Rude to Ask Right Away
Some people do this to be polite — and that’s understandable.
But chat isn’t like a face-to-face meeting. You don’t need to wait for a reply before diving in.
In fact, being direct saves time and shows respect for the other person’s schedule.
What to Say Instead
Here are better ways to start:
“Hey! What time’s that call today?”
“Hi, quick one — are the designs ready for review?”
“Hey, hope you’re good! Could you approve the ticket when you get a sec?”
You’re still being friendly — but now your message is clear and actionable.
It Supports Async Work
When people work across time zones or have meetings, they might not reply instantly.
If you’ve only said “Hi,” they can’t help you while you’re away.
But if you’ve asked the actual question, they can respond when they’re back — without waiting for your follow-up.
