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We have long known that solving a dispute or conflict by email is virtually (forgive the pun) impossible. It will only lead to more misunderstandings and further escalate the issue.
But what about nice communications? Is it correct to send an e-mail or text that says simply "Thank you" and nothing more? Some say it's okay.
Others say it's not, since the message only clogs people's inbox without adding real value.See this 2-minute video by Comedian Greg Schwem about what can go wrong in e-mail communications.
It is a question of balancing two values: appreciating someone for what they did versus efficiency. Daniel Post Senning, a great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-author of the 18th edition of "Emily Post's Etiquette," asked: "At what point does appreciation and showing appreciation outweigh the cost?"
A related topic: asking someone for information that can easily be found on the Web. The next time a colleague, friend or relative asks you for a business phone number, a weather forecast or store hours, you can give them a hint by sending them the link to http://lmgtfy.com/, which stands for Let Me Google That For You. It will put them on notice that they are wasting your, and their, time.
Baratunde Thurston, co-founder to Cultivated Wit, a comedic creative company, complained about people who ask him on social media where to buy his book. You are already on a computer, he exclaimed. "You're on the thing that has the answer to the thing you want to know!"
Mr. Thurston said, "It's almost too easy to not think before we express ourselves because expression is so cheap, yet it often costs the receiver more."
I think there is another reason why people send thoughtless messages: we are not very good at standing in the shoes of the recipient.
If you and I took a moment before we hit the Send button, or even before we compose the message or send the voicemail, to think what it will be like to get our missive and to act on it, we might not send it at all.
P.S. To learn how to communicate effectively, check out Communicate or Die (also available in German, French and Chinese); or visit Manres (manres.com) for tools on building powerful relationships.
But what about nice communications? Is it correct to send an e-mail or text that says simply "Thank you" and nothing more? Some say it's okay.
Others say it's not, since the message only clogs people's inbox without adding real value.See this 2-minute video by Comedian Greg Schwem about what can go wrong in e-mail communications.
It is a question of balancing two values: appreciating someone for what they did versus efficiency. Daniel Post Senning, a great-great-grandson of Emily Post and co-author of the 18th edition of "Emily Post's Etiquette," asked: "At what point does appreciation and showing appreciation outweigh the cost?"
A related topic: asking someone for information that can easily be found on the Web. The next time a colleague, friend or relative asks you for a business phone number, a weather forecast or store hours, you can give them a hint by sending them the link to http://lmgtfy.com/, which stands for Let Me Google That For You. It will put them on notice that they are wasting your, and their, time.
Baratunde Thurston, co-founder to Cultivated Wit, a comedic creative company, complained about people who ask him on social media where to buy his book. You are already on a computer, he exclaimed. "You're on the thing that has the answer to the thing you want to know!"
Mr. Thurston said, "It's almost too easy to not think before we express ourselves because expression is so cheap, yet it often costs the receiver more."
I think there is another reason why people send thoughtless messages: we are not very good at standing in the shoes of the recipient.
If you and I took a moment before we hit the Send button, or even before we compose the message or send the voicemail, to think what it will be like to get our missive and to act on it, we might not send it at all.
What do you see?
What is the correct communication style online? What communications get on your nerves? Can you share best email or texting practices? I look forward to reading you
on
my blog: http://thomaszweifel.blogspot.com/.
P.S. To learn how to communicate effectively, check out Communicate or Die (also available in German, French and Chinese); or visit Manres (manres.com) for tools on building powerful relationships.
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