We’re glued to our emails and we’re constantly sending them whether we’re at work or on-the-go. So it’s important to be polished and leave certain things unsaid (or at least leave it out of your inbox).
Office cultures may vary, but here are five general things you should leave out of your work emails:
1. Avoid sharing anything negative. Steer clear of complaining, arguing, gossiping, or delivering of bad news (including your resignation!) in email. Those conversations are best left for face-to-face communication so nothing gets lost in translation. Save yourself the regret because after all, you can’t delete an email that’s already been sent.
2. Don’t apologize. Email isn’t meant for apologies, so you shouldn’t feel the need to begin every email with “I’m sorry.” Stick with confident language to show that you know what you’re talking about and that your thoughts are important.
3. Ditch the extra words and details. This means stripping out the words, “just,” “really,” and “so”. Direct language will make your messages easier to read while better conveying your point. If you’re going to be late, spare your reader any long-winded explanations and simply say you’ll be late. It’s not too late to explain yourself when you get there.
4. It shouldn’t sound like you’re emailing your BFF. Whether you’re writing internally or communicating with external vendors, partners, customers, or users, your emails should always sound professional and coincide with the company’s branding. Use the right tone and voice to establish consistency and consider your audience so you know when to use specific phrases, trendy lingo, or even an occasional emoji.
5. Save the presentation for a convo. Whether you have a detailed presentation coming up or just scored a major deal, wait for a more involved session with your colleagues so you can dive into the nitty gritty.
xx, The FabFitFun Team
