"Do you have 5 minutes?" is killing your team's productivity. 🕐
The Hidden Cost: • 23 minutes to refocus after an interruption • Context switching destroys deep work • "5 minutes" usually becomes 30 minutes • Creates a culture of reactive rather than proactive work
Why People Do It: • They think their problem is urgent • They want immediate validation • They don't know who else to ask • They're stuck and frustrated
The Better Approach:
🎯 For the Interrupter: "I have a [complexity level] question about [topic]. When would be a good time to discuss this? It should take about [realistic time estimate]."
Examples: • "I have a quick clarification about the API design. Can we chat after your current focus block?" • "I'm stuck on a complex architecture decision. Could we schedule 30 minutes today or tomorrow?"
🛡️ For the Interrupted:
Option 1: Immediate Boundary "I'm in deep focus right now. Can we schedule this for [specific time]?"
Option 2: Triage Question "Is this blocking your work right now, or can it wait until [time]?"
Option 3: Alternative Solution "Have you tried [documentation/Slack/teammate]? If that doesn't help, let's talk at [time]."
Creating a Culture of Respectful Interruptions:
📅 Office Hours Set specific times when you're available for questions. "I'm available for quick questions from 2-3 PM daily."
🟢 Status Indicators Use Slack status, desk signs, or calendar blocks to show availability.
📝 Documentation First Make it easy to find answers without asking people.
👥 Team Channels Encourage questions in team channels where multiple people can help.
🕰️ Async Communication Normalize that not everything needs an immediate response.
The Magic Phrase: "I want to give your question the attention it deserves. When I finish this task in [time], I'll have full focus for your question."
Remember: Protecting focus time isn't selfish—it's essential for doing your best work and helping your team succeed.
How do you handle interruptions? 🤔