[mindtricks]

If you don't like calls, then ask the person requesting it to email/message you want you want to discuss and any decisions that you're hoping to make it from it before accepting it. It's not much, but at least you now have a focus for the call. If you disagree that a call is needed, tell them and request to handle it over async comm lines.

It's possible the other party is dealing with some complex or ambiguous and a call is often helpful to talk through and get them focused quickly. If you still hate calls though, as them to send a write up summary of the call and continue any further conversations that way.

There are so many ways to handle these interactions with just a little give and take.

[hansmayer]

+1 - So many times you can avoid the meeting by simply asking the person to specify the topic. Then often it turns out you can clarify their big topic either directly over chat or its not a topic for you at all..