Stop the E-mail I want to get off!
Isn’t e-mail great? Well, I think the answer is yes and no. It can be great sometimes when it helps us to communicate faster across thousands of miles. Technology helps us to buy things, sell things and trade things. We can even sign contracts via E-signature!
While all of this is great, technology (especially e-mail) may not always be your friend. We must remember that what we send in an e-mail is a document forever. It may seem like what you send is relatively harmless; however, EVERYTHING you send could prove to have consequences.
Many times we think we are doing such a great job of communicating by “CCing” everyone in all of our communications concerning a contract, offer, or issue with a contract. Unfortunately, what happens is e-mail is always read in the mindset of the reader. Is the reader looking for fault, or someone to blame on an issue? Are they upset or angry? Was the writer merely asking a question or complaining about an issue?
REMEMBER everything you write is now evidence, should there be legal action! While you may think your e-mail was harmless, an attorney may turn you into a horrible person for what you wrote. They may prove you were not doing your job or misrepresenting your client by their interpretation of your e-mails.
We must all STOP and THINK before we go typing away. The words you chose to use can and will have consequences. When there is an issue, I STRONGLY recommend you pick up the phone and have a good old fashion discussion. You may be amazed how much faster we can resolve things by just talking them through.
The way I look at it is that e-mail is a tool we can use as long as it is used in the right way. Like any other tool, it has its purpose. Resolving issues is not the purpose of e-mail, airing of dirty laundry is not the purpose of e-mail nor is questioning error the place for e-mail.
Let’s not all fall into this new techno savvy world and forget how to speak to each other.
We will all grow more as people when we truly communicate with others using what God gave us one mouth and 2 ears!
Posts in this category are compliance guidelines. Nikki is not an attorney nor is she giving legal advice.Category: Nikki's Compliance Corner