Easy to Accuse and Assume in E-mail

E-mail makes it so much easier to make accusations or assumptions. I receive several e-mails every day containing comments or claims that I know the very same folks would not say to my face.

Being behind these screens makes it so much easier to type what is not true or nice because you don’t have that eye contact or person sitting in front of you to then have to deal with their reaction.

Never use the anonymity or ease of typing things you wouldn’t normally say as an excuse to communicate in a way that you would not appreciate if done to you.

There are so many things going on in the background that many e-mailers are not aware of that can cause delayed e-mails, bounces or lack of response.

With e-mail in particular it is so easy to vent your frustrations about a situation, point unnecessary fingers and demand a reply or result. Unless you are an expert at the issue at hand and experience enough to know all the variables that are backing up your point of view — don’t accuse or assume.  Instead, ask kindly why for clarification.

While you are assuming, why not also assume that you do not know all the details or criteria that could be effecting a situation and ask for an explanation in a kind and courteous way?

Even with 17 years of online experience with e-mail, servers and Web development, I don’t assume or accuse. I always ask first and then go ahead to discuss the situation in nothing less than a professional way.

If I don’t receive responses to my inquiries, I don’t assume or accuse why, rather I send a kind follow-up confirming if the party received my original request  and/or if everything on the other side is okay.

Jumping to conclusions many times only serves to expose your lack of knowledge, understanding or ability to extend courtesy in any given situation.

Type to others as you would have them type unto you.

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