Imagine getting a text from a colleague that just says "Need your help with something." No greeting, no pleasantries. It feels a bit cold, doesn't it?

In our rush to be efficient, we sometimes forget that communication is fundamentally human. A simple "hello" acknowledges the person on the other end and sets a friendly tone.

• They establish a human connection before diving into business
• They set a friendly, respectful tone for the conversation
• They give the recipient a moment to mentally prepare for your request
• They acknowledge that you're talking to a person, not just a response machine

Finding the balance

Of course, there's a middle ground. You don't need to exchange pleasantries for ten minutes before getting to your point. A simple greeting followed by your question is often the perfect balance between efficiency and humanity.