If you want something to move forwards and you don’t really need a response from someone but you need to let them know nonetheless, then it’s best to phrase your message such that you can move forward even if they do not reply to you.

An important thing to keep in mind is “opportunities for intervention”. Sometimes you want to give people opportunities to intervene. For example, if you are the game master for some RPG your situations should always have many opportunities for your players to intervene and have agency in the world.

However, if you are in a work environment and are reasonably confident in your work then it’s ok to allow people to intervene but allow yourself to move forwards even if you don’t hear back.

In the following “Less Good” examples, you are making it the default position of others to intervene. In the “More Good” examples, they can still intervene, but they must have the intention and will to do it.

Less Good

Just completed the architecture design. Please review it and let me know if it’s okay to proceed.

More Good

Just completed the architecture design. I’ll start implementing let me know if anyone has any concerns.

Less Good:

Completed the presentation slides for the exec meeting. Should I schedule the meeting?

More Good:

Completed the slides. I’ll go ahead and schedule a meeting for next week. Let me know if you have any concerns.

Less Good:

I’ve fixed the bug in the system. Do you want me to deploy it now?

More Good:

I’ve fixed the bug in the system. I’ll deploy the fix in the next hour. Let me know if you need any further adjustments.