A purposeful exchange
Linh: Could you suggest a way to manage this deadline?
Minh: You could divide the task into three short steps.
Linh: Thanks. Which step should I do first?
A useful exchange has a clear purpose: ask, respond, check and close. Use a polite question rather than an order when you need help. If you are unsure, ask “Could you explain that?” instead of pretending to understand.