Have you ever written an e-mail or a letter and had the reader take something completely the wrong way? Perhaps it was your overall tone, or your "helpful" suggestions where taken as harsh criticism. Whatever the situation you were probably surprised by the tense response.
I recently read an article that addresses the negative predisposition the majority people have to email communication. One thing they suggested was the use of emoticons... Which I totally scoffed at, at first.
The more I thought about emoticons the more I realized they have become an excepted form of communication.
A smiley face can lighten up almost any text message right?
There is even a website that will check the tone of your email for you! http://tonecheck.com
It will give you suggestions on changing the tone of your message.
No matter how you think your team responds to email you, should understand the "Negative Bias" that the medium holds. Try to keep the mood light. Try to ask questions when possible. Try to give praise more than critique. Express your appreciation. Make a habit of reading your messages with the receivers point of view in mind. Communication is worth the extra time.
In our hurry to write short succinct emails we may be unknowingly sending wrong/negative message.
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