E-mail can be a very good tool for communication and it has taken over most businesses. Unfortunately, e-mail can also be a very bad tool if you don't take the time to use it correctly.
We had to take a class at Bryant College about communication and one of the exercises that we had was concerning email:
Two people sat back to back and each had about 20-30 kids building blocks in front of them. To start off, one of the sitters had to construct something using the blocks and after, we had to communicate with the other person what had been built. Then, they had to build the same thing without looking at the other's.
It was amazing how difficult it was to communicate properly and most looked nothing like what it should have.
E-mail is pretty much the same.
When we speak to someone face to face, we can use facial expressions or voice inflictions to help convey our thoughts. There is also more interactive communication with the person you are speaking to who can interrupt and help shape the conversation. You can also share much of those same traits over the phone but with e-mail, it is a one way conversation.
You can also have a tendency to vent more in e-mail and possibly let out your frustrations. Even if that may not have been your intent with the recipient not being able to hear your infliction or tone, it may be taken the wrong way.
Perhaps the person you are e-mailing is having a bad day or is frustrated with something else and therefore, jumps to the wrong conclusion with your email.
Take your time when creating or answering email. It may be best to type it, minimize it and read it again later in the day if your emotions are running high.
Email can be a good tool, but if you feel it escalating, pick up the phone and say "hi".
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