It’s Monday morning, and you are catching up on your emails, while enjoying a life-saving coffee, when a sip gets stuck in your throat. “What on earth (polite version) does this person mean?” You re-read to make sure: there are no insults, but the meaning is decidedly scathing. Emails can become bombshells in the work place. And, although many warnings have been issued on the subject, we do see such faux-pas, again and again. Today, and in the weeks to follow, we will offer useful tips on effective communications in the work place.
Topic No 1: A Nuclear Bomb: Emotions
This is a true story: An employee from a large American company writes an email about a colleague who he despises, and tells all. He criticizes her clothes, her hyena laughter, the way she slurps her porridge in the morning. Of course, this belligerent complainer makes the mistake of sending the email “To All”. It did not take long, he was quickly fired.
The lesson is clear: emails in the work place are not designed to communicate personal emotions. Your feelings about a client, a colleague, your boss, or events in your personal life, when consigned to an email, cannot be erased. They can, however, turn against you. Human Resources can easily put them in your file. And also, people you confide in, who you consider to be your friends today, may someday become your enemies . You will then regret having sent them such amunition.
Next Topic: Words and Their Meaning.
Marie-Josée and Anick
Work. Words...and life 