It's usually the channel, the order or the timing
- The channel
- Some people remember what they read and lose what they hear in a meeting. Others skim written updates and only engage in conversation.
- The order
- Some people need the conclusion first and the reasons after. Others stop listening until they understand why it matters.
- The timing
- A message delivered in a busy moment, or at the end of a long meeting, often doesn't stick, however clear it was.
How to find out what works for this person
- Think back to a time it did land. Was it written down? Did you start with the point or the background?
- Notice what they ask for. Someone who keeps asking “what exactly do you need?” wants the point first.
- Ask them: “When I need something from you, what's the best way to bring it?”
A short checklist for your next message
- Put the one thing you need in the first sentence.
- Choose the channel they respond to, and follow up in writing if they prefer it.
- Make the next step and the date explicit.
- Check understanding by asking what they'll do next, not “does that make sense?”
When it's your manager or a peer
The same applies upward and sideways. A manager who doesn't seem to listen may simply need a shorter version, with the decision you need from them at the top. A peer may respond better to a quick conversation than a long message.
Notice what works for one specific person
Sixen reads the work conversations you choose and notices how each person communicates: what they ask for, how they decide, and what makes them push back. You get a read on the person, the moments behind it, and two or three ways to approach them next time. You can accept, edit or reject every read, and only you see it.