I’m not sure I’d call my system a preference for e-mail as much as a recognition that some things work better as e-mail, some as IMs and some things people should just pick up the phone or walk down the hall. Every tool deserves a place in the tool box, so long as the tool accomplishes a discretely identifiable task.

I’m definitely trying to get people used to the idea that I may only answer e-mails during two periods a day, but that if they have something quick, I’m available via IM. The issue really revolves around that I need some uninterrupted/uninterruptible chunks of time during the day or I feel like I have ADD, bouncing from issue to issue. Also, to a certain extent, I find that the people who work for me will, if I’m available, use asking me something as a substitute for thinking (this I’ve learned after years of being instantly available and then wondering why the people working for me don’t seem to be developing critical thinking skills).

And anything that involves an extended back and forth, whether internal or external, is more efficiently handled via phone or meeting - even if it’s deeply technical.

I’m not sure I buy into the idea that people who communicate substantially through e-mail or IM are socially inept - to some extent it’s a recognition that if my time is worth say $300 an hour, I need to save the social backslapping for a time when the firm is getting that value out of it. If someone wants to ask me whether I’d like a report spiral bound or book bound, I’d rather deal with it via IM and not pretend like we’re having a meaningful conversation. If I spent two hours on a conference call with a client yesterday and he wants to let me know he just overnighted me the documents we discussed, he and I are probably better served if he e-mails me rather than calls.