It was Monday morning, and Lee opened his inbox to find an email from his manager: “Lee, I’ve decided to have Carlos present to the governing board, instead of you. I’m sure you’re good with this.”
When an Email Exchange Turns Ugly
Email can be a great way to communicate efficiently with coworkers. But too often, colleagues use the medium to avoid, deflect, or escalate conflict. When someone plants an “email landmine,” you don’t have to respond in kind with a similar attack (even if that’s what you feel like doing). Instead, recognize that genuine dialogue has been disrupted and that it’s your job to restore it. Schedule a call with your colleague instead of continuing the conversation over email. It’s even better to talk to the person face-to-face. Diffuse the negative tone by stating up front that you want a solution that works for all parties. As you begin to discuss the content, avoid making judgments or stating conclusions. Instead, stick closely to the facts. And don’t get too far into the conversation without checking that you and your colleague are finally on the same page.