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I just had to teach my husband the art of “setting boundaries and expectations over email while being helpful at the same time in the face of someone who is trying to bully you into doing something even though they are not your boss”.
Expertly crafted email swerves are a skill.
Expertly crafted email swerves are a skill.
This person tried to volunteer him to do something that does not fall into his purview and also said my husband would work on it over the weekend.
We were like LMAO, no.
So I crafted a response that asked for clarification, added attachments, and cc’d the right people.
We were like LMAO, no.
So I crafted a response that asked for clarification, added attachments, and cc’d the right people.
Then I told my husband to separately escalate to his manager (who was included in the thread) cos this person is a VP of something something and his boss should handle that.
My husband’s tone was courteous, he replied swiftly, and included all the necessary info.
My husband’s tone was courteous, he replied swiftly, and included all the necessary info.
And I told my husband that it is WELL within his right to say “I am not available over the weekend so I want to make sure I direct this ask to the right person before end of day.”
People will really use their title or position to work yourself to death. No gracias.
People will really use their title or position to work yourself to death. No gracias.
Some email tips:
Always be polite even if the other party isn’t because emails can be forwarded
Break down their ask & request clarification. Point them to alternatives if possible
Take a few minutes to read your response before you send. Smooth over as needed
Always be polite even if the other party isn’t because emails can be forwarded Break down their ask & request clarification. Point them to alternatives if possible Take a few minutes to read your response before you send. Smooth over as needed
The thing here is being polite doesn’t mean be a push over, but if ppl sound hostile, you need to sound level headed. You want to address their ask, not their tone. You want to include as much info is needed/include whoever is needed. So take a few moments to think about framing.
And if in doubt? Run the response by your manager before your send. In fact, CC YOUR MANAGER IN THE EMAIL. Doing that communicates the following:
I am comfortable enough w/what I’m telling you to give my manager visibility into this interaction
I am comfortable enough w/what I’m telling you to give my manager visibility into this interaction
A lot of people use the cc function to passive aggressively assert their authority over you and to sway things in their favor.
Know what I do? I’ll say “cc’ing @-person @-person for visibility” at the TOP of the email. I @-mention ppl in emails as necessary.
Know what I do? I’ll say “cc’ing @-person @-person for visibility” at the TOP of the email. I @-mention ppl in emails as necessary.
I do this cos sometimes respondents get upset when you tell them you aren’t the right person. So I go the extra mile and include the right person, @-mention them, and then repeat the ask to the right person so they aren’t lost.
This has been your lesson in Email Swerves 101.
This has been your lesson in Email Swerves 101.
For more tips on communicating with people, check out my latest blog post. Also the result of people my husband works with.
Enjoy! https://www.stephaniemorillo.co/post/managing-questions-from-business-stakeholders
Enjoy! https://www.stephaniemorillo.co/post/managing-questions-from-business-stakeholders
Addendum:
A few folks asked me to organize a webinar on email communications so I’ve set one up. It’s happening in October 18.
RSVP @ http://stephaniemorillo.co/email101
A few folks asked me to organize a webinar on email communications so I’ve set one up. It’s happening in October 18.
RSVP @ http://stephaniemorillo.co/email101
