It is very easy when using email to read it in a totally different way than how it has been meant to be read. Anything I send out, I read and re-read, trying to take it from the perspective of the recipient. If I feel it can be taken out of context or it sounds harsh, I change the wording and keep working on it until I am satisfied that I connect correctly with the majority of my team (I know it will be impossible to get it across correctly to all).
If I want to say something specific, I try to make it constructive, and use examples of how I have done the same and where it has led me.
As we are always told that this is our business and we are to treat it as such, somewhere in my email, at times I have included something along the lines of, - as this is your business, I just want to make you aware of ......., the decision is totally up to you, but I just wanted to make you aware of this-
If they don't know, then they cannot decide, and hopefully I have encouraged activity without demeaning anyone.
It is very easy when using email to read it in a totally different way than how it has been meant to be read. Anything I send out, I read and re-read, trying to take it from the perspective of the recipient. If I feel it can be taken out of context or it sounds harsh, I change the wording and keep working on it until I am satisfied that I connect correctly with the majority of my team (I know it will be impossible to get it across correctly ...more