Do I Look Good Online?

Have you asked this to yourself after you have finished writing your email? I just started asking myself this after my last session in Elsevier.

One particular email that a participant brought in for feedback came across as very strong. His counterpart in UK had raised a couple of questions on some tasks, and had addressed the email to his manager. She also questioned him on why he wasn't following the process. Her tone was accusing and it really wasn't this participant's fault that the tasks had not been completed. The participant reacted and wrote a very strong response.

I passed copies of the response email to all in the class and asked them for feedback.

Here are some of the comments from the rest of the class:

1. This looks like the writer is trying to justify what he has done. He is talking too much about himself.
2. It would have been better if the response had focused on educating the lady on the correct process, rather than trying to prove that the writer had done his job.
3. The writer has reacted in an immature way.
4. The lady may stand corrected this time, but may not be a helpful colleague in the future.
   
5. It's important to communicate without bringing personal feelings in professional matters.

Surprisingly, nobody said that the writer was justified in writing the way he did because the lady was rude and condescending.

It's hard not to react, but it is a good to handle the situation in a mature manner, just as in other matters.