In Business E-mails Keep Your Frustrations — and Emotions — in Check

All too often I see business onliners type things in e-mail in a way that without a doubt reflects their frustration or aggravation without thought or consideration of the consequences.  They display a tone that I know they wouldn’t use on the phone or in person.  It is so easy to just type out cryptic thoughts and sentences when we feel we are misunderstood and throw all e-mail etiquette to the wind!

Try to keep your frustration — and emotions — in check. 

When you communicate with other professionals there is no good reason — ever — to neglect your e-mail etiquette because you want to make a point.  If you do you’ll make a point alright — you’ll show that you forget about courtesies and professionalism the moment emotions get in the way.

I had an example of this yesterday.   A site visitor e-mailed me asking my advice and opinion.  I provided my opinion that what annoyed them was probably due to misinterpreting the other person’s intent.  Sometimes others choose words with no ulterior motives or meaning.  I advised that it is prudent to think twice about not reading more into it than what was there.

Instead of getting a thank you, I received a scolding with no greeting or closing stating I misunderstood.  I understood completely — we were being petty (which I didn’t state in my first response) about inferring something that wasn’t there.  I asked if there was more to the situation than what had been relayed to me.  I held my ground that the situation as explained was certainly not worth being extremely annoyed about as the inquirer insisted on being.

This person then became frustrated with me because I didn’t take their side.  By replying  back to me without any greeting. closing  or proper punctuation and sentence structure this person further solidified my growing negative impression of their professionalism.

Do your best to keep your frustrations and emotions in check.  If you feel you’ve been misunderstood, look at how you communicated in the first place to see if you contributed to that possibility.  Then, if you do not get the response you want or like, don’t throw all formalities out the window and scold the other as though they are the one who doesn’t get it.  Ask for clarification, thank the other side for their e-mail and sign off in a courteous manner regardless of whether the other side agrees with you or not.

This is just another example about how e-mail is all about perception and how the choices you make in how you choose to use this powerful communication tool can make a huge difference in how others view you.

In yesterday’s situation this person came off as nitpicky and narrow-minded.  Not good…

How do you handle e-mails where you were misunderstood?

Some More Info for You:

1. How to Check Your E-mail Spamminess