There is No “I” in Courtesy

Whenever I get e-mails from those who don’t get Business Email Etiquette, there coincidentally is always an abundance of “I”s in their communications. “I think..”, “I want…”, “I would rather…”. “I need…” It seems the more “I”s in an email request the less courtesy.

Those who disregard basic business communication guidelines and courtesies, are clearly so locked in the world of “all about me” that they leave an impression of being inflexible and demanding.

Courtesy and manners are not about you. It is about taking the time to consider how your actions or in the case of email, communications, can affect others. When it comes to Business Email Etiquette, it is about using technology with knowledge, understanding and courtesy. Not about what you prefer to do to the exclusion of all else.  That’s not how to build a business, form new partnerships and solidify current relationships.

What do I say to those whose only excuse to not practice proper Email Etiquette is I, I, I? As in “I don’t have time…”, “I don’t think it is that important…” or “I don’t have to…”? I comment that they can choose to do what they want and disregard established guidelines and skills that can do nothing but enhance their image and potential — that is their choice.

Life is all about choices. How you run your business is all about choices. How you choose to communicate is all about choices. Integrating Email Etiquette is in fact a choice for every business owner to make and one which will without a doubt determine how they will be perceived by those they communicate with.

To be always thinking about your manners is not the way to make them good; the very perfection of manners is not to think about yourself.
~ Richard Whately

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