You: Quick call?
Coworker: Sure.
## Coworker pauses what they are working on and sits there waiting for your call
## Finally you read their response and start the call
You: I'm working on {something} and {this data} isn't doing what I expected
Coworker: Ah okay, hold on, let me log into the 15 different firewalls and connect to the database.
## Coworker logs into 15 firewalls and attempts to connect to the database
Coworker: My database password expired, give me a minute to reset that
## Coworker resets their database password and gets connected
Coworker: Oh, I see now. {answer}
Please do this instead:
You: Hey, I'm working on {something} and {this data} isn't doing what I expected. Do you have time for a quick call?
Coworker: Sure.
## Coworker responds and is able to begin setting up what they need to help you investigate
## You call
Coworker: So I was just looking at this in the database and it looks like {answer}
Or sometimes you might not even need a quick call:
You: Hey, I'm working on {something} and {this data} isn't doing what I expected. Do you have time for a quick call?
Coworker: Ah, I've seen this happen before. It's {answer}
Note that you get help minutes sooner, and you both don't have to wait as long. Instead, the co-worker can start thinking about the topic right away and setting up anything they might need to help with it!
You're trying to be quick by talking about all this in the call instead of typing any information beforehand, but your coworker is going into the call blind and has no idea what to expect or what they'll need.
Additionally, providing information about your question and what you're working on before getting a reply allows asynchronous communication. This way, the coworker is less interrupted by the call and can get prepared based on the context. They may be able to provide a direct answer right away without having to be interrupted by a "quick call." Or at least they'll be able to begin setting up anything they may need to help you with the issue. Also, if the other party is away, and you leave before they come back, they can still possibly answer your question, investigate, or get things set up, instead of just staring at a "quick call?" and wondering what the call is about.
Short link to this page: https://noquickcall.com