E-mails are Confidential!

Part of running a successful business and forming long term mutually respectful partnerships and relationships is trust. Both sides need to trust that the other has their best interests at heart and each needs to know that their relationship is valued.

As of late I am seeing otherwise good folks compromise their relationships and partnerships by being lazy when it comes to maintaining these relationships. How? By forwarding e-mails sent to them to others for their reaction. These are e-mails that were sent to them in confidence, then being forwarded to others in the guise of “see what they say!?”.

You should assume that every e-mail sent to you is for your eyes only — unless the sender specifically states otherwise. For example, I need to be able to be candid and comment honestly when clients contact me about their programs. An increasing trend I’ve had the displeasure of having to deal with is when asked my opinion about a service provider or product, I come to find that my e-mail reply has been forwarded to the 3rd party I’ve commented on.

How do I know this? Those less than professional 3rd parties send me defensive and accusatory e-mails asking me for an explanation. Which they never receive…

If a client asks me questions, I respond in a professional and informative manner based on the facts at hand and my 15 years of experience. I have to know I can speak honestly and impartially so that they have the accurate information they need to make the most appropriate decision for their business.

But in forwarding my comments about a situation to another without my knowledge or permission what does one hope to gain? To get an explanation to the concerns they had all the while without having to actually ask. They can point to me as the bad guy asking or pointing out the difficult questions or issues. Not very professional, huh?

When you are in this situation, and you ask for advice — you don’t forward that advice to someone it applies to or who may differ simply to make a point or inform them.

You take the advice and then extrapolate it and pass it on — in your own words — if you feel an explanation or further details are desired. You don’t pit two strangers against each other simply because you are too lazy or too weak to pose your own questions and concerns.

Add to that e-mail is copyright protected. So if you ever want to forward an e-mail sent directly to you to anyone else, always ask first before doing so.

At your service,
Judith

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