They are irritated, demanding, and just plain rude, peers, team leads, managers, business owners, etc. who email their emotions. The email content isn't so much about the workflow process, who is scheduled to do what, or what is up and coming, but the negative communication with emotions attached or not at times says far more than necessary. Check out the following examples based on real life workplace email communication:
What is this? Really? Who are you talking about? I don't know what you mean...
How might the above come across if you really need a favor from someone or you want them to continue to be on your team?
Thanks Sally! cc: Ron, Bob, John, Tim, Elizabeth...
Does everyone really need to know just how much you appreciate Sally?
I thought I communicated this to you already. Duh? Do you need a vacation?
Insults? Hmmm. Let's keep this email on file in case we need to share with H.R.
When I re-entered the workforce some years ago, I was surprised at how much workers solely rely on Outlook Calendar, Email, etc. I mean whatever happened to picking up the phone to confirm or get clarification on some things? So when the demand to "just email me" came in like a flood, I couldn't help but wonder was this the end of good ole fashion offline communication?
For many workplaces, email is all they ever do anymore and so with increase email volume so too is the likelihood that high importance emails will be overlooked, incorrectly forwarded to the wrong people, deleted, and written offensively too. Throw in all the cc: or bcc: this one and that one too even when people don't have a clue as to what your department does much less who are you and now confusion amongst staff also increases too.
So the emotional emails, those ones that have words in all caps, sentences in red, misspells and abbreviated words due to angry emotions coming faster than words can type...and before long someone is going to make more foes than friends.
A straightforward, brief email comes across as someone with an attitude if there isn't a smile or two or some jovial comment. But then you can come off as flighty maybe a bit strange with too many emoji's :)(:
From the irritation to the demands communicated in email in so many disrespectful ways, it isn't any wonder why people end up not saying too much offline to one another. Most often people say things online they would never dare say to someone's face anyway. Besides, how can you verbalize something that offline sounds petty even though it isn't? "I was really upset about your straightforward, nonchalant comment with no smile or a bit of humor demanding that I do something..." or "What did you mean when you asked me about ABC, but you said it with abbreviated words, red lettering, and didn't ask the question like you even liked me much less respected me?'
Then of course there are those emails where someone has to let everyone know "Welcome...Great job...Thank you!" Does the whole team really need to know every other day or daily how much the supervisor loves their favorite people...so much for teamwork, building team morale, or being a team player.
Watch those emotional workplace emails they might make or break you--ask Hillary.
Have a great day and by the way don't be goofing off in the break room! but then again...maybe without the red lettering and the smart comment. How about Have a wonderful day! :) I sincerely mean it. or what about nothing at the end but just your name and a call me to further discuss meeting details. Perfect.
Nicholl McGuire
Saturday
Personal Workplace Issues Don't Have to Become Your Issues
Give yourself a time out. Take a deep breath and recite the following, "I will not get emotionally involved in someone's issues." An effective manager doesn't hide out in his office to get away from troubled workers, but he or she doesn't become emotionally tied to them either.
Sally comes into the office with tears in her eyes.
Jim yells loudly and knocks off a few things on a desk.
Janet pushes people on the way to the exit door.
Bill is angered and vengeful with others again because he just can't seem to do his job well.
Do we go off on these people and fight just because they are in one? Do we sit down and talk with them in the heat of battle? Do we reason away their emotional outbursts or act as if they never happened? Do we run off and hope that they can't find us?
Leaders whether you hold a title or not, don't do any of the above. You may have been tempted and may have done some of what is mentioned, but forgive yourself. Allow positive self-talk to usher you toward change. Consider what your peers are saying, but keep your spirit free from the burdens by releasing them to your God or find something you can do so that you will not be overwhelmed with so much stuff!
Workplace issues don't ever go away completely, some are there until the company or department comes to an end. You might have thought that you were doing so well showing compassion toward so many people who approached you, but what we positive types or do-good folks learn in the end is that if you get too wrapped up into what others are feeling, you will surely burn out.
Consider the following:
1. Don't allow yourself to be consumed with many personal stories from workers. Seek a plan of escape from unproductive conversation like "Things are getting busy now...I will have to go, but thanks for sharing."
2. Don't make promises you can't keep. If you know that it isn't in your power to get something done, say so.
3. Avoid the drama by staying out of it. When you hear that something is happening in a certain room, department, or somewhere else and it isn't considered anything worth escalating, stay away from that place and those who are a part of the drama. Of course, you can see things for yourself, but once you know the truth--keep away.
4. Let your genius come forth with those who appreciate your work, but protect your passion/heart with both positive and negative individuals. You can't afford to fall apart at work just because an idea/suggestion or something else you came up with was rejected. If at first you don't succeed...you know the rest.
5. You can't control what others think/feel about you and don't even try! Actions speak louder than words anyway and those who formulate personal false assumptions about you will sooner or later look rather stupid when they say something negative about you. Win over those who matter!
Reserve the sentimental feelings and personal touch for those at home. Work is just what it is...be understanding, but no fool. There are many actors and actresses out there.
Nicholl McGuire
Sally comes into the office with tears in her eyes.
Jim yells loudly and knocks off a few things on a desk.
Janet pushes people on the way to the exit door.
Bill is angered and vengeful with others again because he just can't seem to do his job well.
Do we go off on these people and fight just because they are in one? Do we sit down and talk with them in the heat of battle? Do we reason away their emotional outbursts or act as if they never happened? Do we run off and hope that they can't find us?
Leaders whether you hold a title or not, don't do any of the above. You may have been tempted and may have done some of what is mentioned, but forgive yourself. Allow positive self-talk to usher you toward change. Consider what your peers are saying, but keep your spirit free from the burdens by releasing them to your God or find something you can do so that you will not be overwhelmed with so much stuff!
Workplace issues don't ever go away completely, some are there until the company or department comes to an end. You might have thought that you were doing so well showing compassion toward so many people who approached you, but what we positive types or do-good folks learn in the end is that if you get too wrapped up into what others are feeling, you will surely burn out.
Consider the following:
1. Don't allow yourself to be consumed with many personal stories from workers. Seek a plan of escape from unproductive conversation like "Things are getting busy now...I will have to go, but thanks for sharing."
2. Don't make promises you can't keep. If you know that it isn't in your power to get something done, say so.
3. Avoid the drama by staying out of it. When you hear that something is happening in a certain room, department, or somewhere else and it isn't considered anything worth escalating, stay away from that place and those who are a part of the drama. Of course, you can see things for yourself, but once you know the truth--keep away.
4. Let your genius come forth with those who appreciate your work, but protect your passion/heart with both positive and negative individuals. You can't afford to fall apart at work just because an idea/suggestion or something else you came up with was rejected. If at first you don't succeed...you know the rest.
5. You can't control what others think/feel about you and don't even try! Actions speak louder than words anyway and those who formulate personal false assumptions about you will sooner or later look rather stupid when they say something negative about you. Win over those who matter!
Reserve the sentimental feelings and personal touch for those at home. Work is just what it is...be understanding, but no fool. There are many actors and actresses out there.
Nicholl McGuire
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