I don’t mean by being rude. But you’ve had an email that you’ve replied to and they’ve replied back and you’ve replied and will you just shuddup, please? It becomes like teenager lovers on the phone: “no, you hang up first”. And it is always pointless. It’s just that sometimes you can end it.

If you want a meeting with someone, don’t ask them if they’re up for it and then get into a cycle of checking calendars, of my people calling your people, instead say this:

“Are you free for lunch next Tuesday at noon?”

You’ll be startled how often people say yes. And when they say no, because you’ve asked them in this specific way, they reply specifically. “No, but I can do coffee Wednesday at 4pm.”

And then you’re off to the races.

Just get to the point right away. Whether it’s a meeting or a favour, just ask them. Be polite of course and you can go into the pleasantries after it, but ask up front for what you need and you’ll end the ceaseless, pointless cycle of email tag.

For this one thing, anyway.