When’s the last time you gave someone some subtle sass over email? I’m asking when because we’ve ALL done it… and we’ve probably all deserved having it done to use at some point too.
Because email is not an immediate method of communicating, it doesn’t always bear the burden of complete accountability. In other words, since you aren’t speaking directly to someone’s face (or ear over the phone) they can sometimes get away with avoiding certain parts of your message, or ignoring you entirely.
Which can piss you off. And rightfully so!
But trust us: sending the classic “Per my last email…” is not the way to go.This sort of passive aggression is no longer passive, because everyone can see how you feel from a mile away. It’s 2020… we can practically read text like body language.
Let’s talk about how you can avoid getting yourself into deeper trouble with email sass. Dana Hundley of The Muse discusses the dangers of petty email jabs, and offers these tips for staying on track and on everyone’s good side:
1- Be direct
If you don’t get a response to something simple, urgent, or important, just forward the last message. Do NOT say “per my last email,” no matter how tempted you are. Use something straightforward like “I’m following up on my previous message,” and if it becomes time sensitive, don’t be afraid to make that clear—kindly!
2- Restate your request
Restate what you’re asking for, the deliverable you’re requesting, and the deadline. You can add that to your above invitation to read the first email. Say something like “I’m following up on the X. We need your X by the end of the week to move forward. Please find additional information below.” Specificity and timeframes remove room for error.
3- Ask a question
Start the e-mail with a question to grab their attention. You can say, “What do you think of X?” Or, “Would you be able to send me X by tomorrow?” Or maybe, “Are you available to jump on a call to discuss X?” Don’t be too passive that your request seems unimportant, but allow them a chance to explain why they haven’t done their part.
4- Pick up the phone
When it’s easier to talk the issue over, just do it. Call them and say you’d like to discuss the task and talk about updates to the deliverable. Again, email can unfortunately act as an antidote to accountability for some people, so turn the request into an actual conversation.
5- Drop by
If it’s an option and you’ve developed enough of a rapport with the other party, stop by their office. Sometimes, if the request is challenging or confusing, you might be able to tell how they’re feeling about it by their body language. Ultimately, this is the best way to get something done: ask and explain in person.
And to double down, offer (and then DO it) to send an email with the particulars, so they have a permanent document explaining what’s expected. Always be direct, set clear expectations, and include a call to action.