TomLaForce.com

Email and texting are two extremely popular forms of communication, but are they effective?  I’m not so sure.

They seem to work best when the information is simple, short, and does not have or will not likely create an emotional charge.  The problem is that people use these communication channels for messages that don’t meet any of the above criteria.

It’s an especially popular way of delivering bad news or a critical message to someone.  While it may be popular, it’s not effective when used in this manner.

The popularity stems from the misguided notion that sending my message in this way will protect me if there is an overly emotional negative response.  While it’s true that you may not be there to personally witness the response, it still manages to find you.

The message you sent is interpreted as an attack.  It’s as if you sent a bomb through the internet.  And what’s the recipient do?  They reciprocate with a bomb of their own, and this time they add a few more names to the CC list.

If you are interested in preventing this kind of unproductive email correspondence, ask a few questions before hitting the “Send” key.

• Would I be willing to say to the person’s face what I’m writing?
• Have I made any assumptions about what the person really meant in her email?
• How am I feeling right now, and how is my emotional state affecting what I write?
• Who have I copied and why?
• How is the recipient likely to react to my email?
• Is email the best way of sending my message, or would the telephone or an in-person visit better serve the situation?
• What have I written that could be misinterpreted?

Email is a great tool when used properly. The trick is knowing when and when not to use it.