Skip to main content

Power of Perception in Email

Happy May! This past month, I had the pleasure of talking to a group of executives about the power of perception. Perception is reality but it is not always the truth. One of the examples I use is an email exchange between people. Have you ever invited someone for an interview or sent an e-mail and received a response of "k thx," and though, "No thank you!" Have you ever read an email and reacted in this way:


This month I simply want to remind you not to rush to judgement. Ask yourself if you  have the full story. Ask yourself if perhaps your current emotional state may be contributing to your reaction. Too often we react without having gotten the bigger picture. Perhaps a clarifying contact, or even some time to reflect, will clear up confusion.

Here are some reminders to help ensure that e-mails that you sent are received and perceived properly:


  • Make sure the subject line reflects the content of the email. If your email takes the conversation in a different direction, then clarify how and why. 
  • Only CC people who have the full story. Do not incorporate people into the conversation unless they belong and unless they have been updated on the conversation. 
  • Include all relevant material. If you need to reference another email or thread, then include it; do not leave the recipient to having to search for it. 
  • Remember that communication is not a "one size fits all." Be sure to tailor each e-mail to the person and context. 
  • Set expectations for the response you desire. If you wish to hear in a certain way or by a certain time, then inform the recipient.
Email is a powerful, yet potentially dangerous, communication tool. With proper care given to the sending and receiving of e-mails, most pitfalls can be avoided, and email can become a useful means of communication. Of course, do not forget that other means of communication exist, too. 

Location: Tulsa, OK, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of Perception

Happy Fall! I love this time of year (except all that ragweed). This month I would like to discuss knowing and promoting your personal brand. I recently gave a key note speech (my first!) called “The Power of Perception”. In my presentation, I discuss the power of perception as well as the importance of being able to recognize and promote one’s personal brand. Perception is reality and your personal brand shapes how people perceive you. It does not take long for others to perceive you in a certain way… but you do have some power to shape that perception. Here are a few tips in doing that: 1.     Don’t assume that your boss, co-workers, or close friends know exactly what you do… and don’t assume that they know exactly what you do. You never know that your weakness could be a friend’s biggest strength unless you ask. Here’s an example: I reached out to a friend of mine to help me with my presentation and when I asked her, she said “Carey, of course I can help with that,...
2 comments
Read more

Strengths Finder

“Hide not your talents.  They for use were made.  What’s a sundial in the shade?” – Benjamin Franklin Happy February!  I hope that your year is off to a great start.  This month I am going to talk about staff development.  Having a diverse but solid team is so vital for the success of a small business.  However, you cannot take a one size fits all approach to managing a team. Oftentimes business owners or hiring managers fail to realize this and subsequently they drive away great talent.  At the end of last year my team participated in the StrengthsFinder survey from the popular book by Tim Rath.  It was a fun exercise for all of us and I think, speaking on behalf of the whole team, we all learned more about ourselves and our team members by going through it.  We also learned the common strengths that bind us all together.  To that end, it was an invaluable exercise for me and my management team to go through because we became more ...
2 comments
Read more

Preparing for the First Day on the Job

Happy June.  The month of June is a transition month for many—having graduated in May, they find themselves moving into careers. In light of that, this month I want to share how to make a great first impression to the new hires who join your team. Whenever a transition happens, making a great first impression is vital to an organization! Have you ever arrived for an appointment—at a restaurant, at the doctor’s office, for an interview—and had the feeling like they were not quite ready for you?  This can cause the business to lose a prospective client or potential valuable employee.  So, what can you do as a business owner to welcome and retain the best people? 1. Be prepared. Companies must be prepared. Lack of preparation can communicate a lack of appreciation or welcome. Preparation does not need to be extravagant; even simple things matter, such as having a work space prepared with all the relevant tools (computer, phone, etc.) ready to go, providing business ...
1 comment
Read more