The Art of Nasty Emails!

Before email you would have to look your boss, client, friend or coworker in the eye when telling him or her how upset you were. This factor alone made throwing a verbal punch hard to do. However, since email- the ability to throw verbal punches as become easier than ever and nasty emails are just a click away. Yes, a simple click will let everyone know exactly how you feel about something. The downside? It lasts forever. There is no delete button once it is sent. So, if you’re upset with someone and you want to write them an email about the issue- practice my tips to a “nasty but not nasty” email first.

1. Write the email you want to send but leave the “to” section blank. After you write it, don’t edit it. Save it to drafts and revisit the issue after a three hour cooling offer period. You will be less emotional and more point orientated after three hours and then you can edit your email properly.

2. When you do go to edit the email, figure out a way to end it on a positive note. Offer some suggestions to correct the problem or talk about how you value the other person and want to address the issue but move forward as friends or professionals. Don’t be outright nasty with no room for positive resolution.

3. Get a second opinion before you hit send. Your head is in the game and directly related to the issue at hand. However, you can be sued if you are an employer and send the wrong type of an email. Plus, it is good to have someone from the outside read the email and give it a level-headed once over.

Finally, if you don’t receive a response within 24 hours of sending the email- call the person or invite him or her to talk it over while having coffee. You don’t want to look like a jerk- even if you are right- by sending an angry email with no opportunity for recovering or without extending the olive branch.

Until next time,

Twyla N. Garrett