Bundling questions make you more efficient
Datum: 2024-06-03 10:00
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A great thing about having colleagues is that you can receive help and guidance when you need it. And, it is a joy and privilege to be able to share your knowledge with a colleague who asks for your help.
But, if we help too many people too often, it will become difficult to focus on our own tasks. Some of the people I meet describe how they only have a moment here and there in-between helping others and meetings to really concentrate on their work. Some even tend to push and postpone their own tasks towards the end of the day when they are most tired and not at all on top of their game.
And at the same time, we want to help — and we want to be helped when the need arises. So, how should we make it as easy and efficient as possible both for the person asking for assistance and the one being asked?
For you who prefer listening to reading, this post is also available as an episode of the “Done!” podcast:
Batching or “quiet hours”
The Swiss-German research team Käser, Fischbacher, König and Kleinmann conducted a study not too long ago where they looked at how the efficiency of the helper, as well as the person being helped, was influenced by different ways of structuring the way help was asked for. The different variations tested were:
a) you ask for help freely, at any time, and as much as you want
b) you ask for help freely, except for during certain designated “quiet hours” when we do not ask each other anything, but only focus on performing our own tasks
c) you ask for help freely, but bundle a few questions in a batch before asking
The researchers found that alternative c), to bundle or batch several questions up before asking, was the most beneficial way to go in terms of affecting both parties’ efficiency positively — more so than when they had set aside quiet hours, as in option b), when they would be guaranteed the focus they needed to do their work.
It did not come as a surprise that option a), asking for help at any time, was the worst alternative for the collective efficiency of both parties.
If you want to look closer at the study and find out what lies behind these particular results, it is called ”Helping as Mundane Knowledge Sharing: Do Bundled Help Request and Quiet Time Increase Performance?”.
Do this
If you want to put the researchers’ conclusions to good use, then do this:
- During the next meeting with your colleagues; suggest that you try bundling and batching questions before asking one another for help to the greatest extent possible, for a while, perhaps a few weeks. Refer to the study if you want some scientific evidence to lean on.
- After the trial, evaluate together and discuss how you experienced this way of working. Did it suit your team? Or, can you adjust your method a little to make it even better?
Become more efficient together
If you and your colleagues batch questions before asking one another for help, all of you will become more efficient than if you ask questions as soon as they arise — at least if we are to trust the researchers mentioned above.
I might also add that batching questions did not lower the efficiency of the person asking for help. It did, however, significantly increase the efficiency of the person being asked to help. And as we all know: sometimes we are the one receiving help, and sometimes we are giving it. But all in all, this method will increase the efficiency of the whole team or office!
What is your way?
How have you solved this particular dilemma at your company or office? Have you agreed upon something special regarding when, how and where to ask each other for help? Many struggle with this kind of problems. Help them (and me!) by sharing your way in an email to me.
(Do you know how to get a swift answer to a tricky question?)
There's more!
If you want more tips on how to create good structure at work, there are many ways to get that from me - in podcasts, videos, books, talks and other formats.