How to email like a boss – Mistakes office workers make

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How to email like a boss – Mistakes office workers make

A careers expert has revealed the things you should and shouldn’t include in an email if you want to sound ‘like a boss’, and when it’s best to have a phone or face-to-face conversation instead. 

LinkedIn specialist Sue Ellson, from Sydney, said the difficulty is that unlike when you speak on the phone or in person, email can be interpreted in many different ways.

However, as a general rule of thumb she said it’s never a good idea to go into an email writing ‘you’ something, like ‘you need to’, ‘you should’ or ‘you must’.

What to say in an email  

* If something took longer than expected… say ‘Thank you for understanding the delay due to’

* I am very busy... say ‘I am available at the following times’

* Please acknowledge my effort… say ‘I appreciate the opportunity to do X and welcome your feedback’

* I have the answers… say ‘I recommend that we’

* This is too complicated… say ‘Can we chat briefly first and go from there please’

* Do you understand… say ‘Happy to answer any questions and let me know when we can confirm next steps’

* When will I hear back from you?… say ‘Can you please give me an update by’

* You made a mistake… say ‘Appreciate you letting me know about X and I will’

* I have another appointment… say ‘I can help you out at X or Y time’

Source: Sue Ellson 

Passive-aggressive corporate email jargon decoded

‘Per my last email’ – The information is in previous correspondence. Why did not bother to read it before asking?

‘Hope this helps’ – Never ask me for anything again.

‘Thank you for your feedback, I’ll be sure to keep it in mind’ – Your criticism is incorrect and irrelevant and I’ll never consider it.

‘Just to clarify’ – Do you realise how stupid that sounds?

‘Just circling back’ – Give me an answer to my question right now.

‘As previously discussed’ – I didn’t put it in writing last night because I assumed it was obvious and that you were an adult.

‘While I understand your urgency’ – Just because you didn’t do something when you were supposed to doesn’t make it my problem.

‘I’ll let you two take it from here’ – I’m not part of this conversation and I don’t want to be.

‘Thanks for the input!’ – Do not speak to me ever again.

‘I’ve attached another copy for your convenience’ – Don’t pretend like you didn’t see the first one.

‘Just a few things’ – This is so terrible, where do I even begin?

‘Friendly reminder’ – There is nothing friendly about this message.

‘At your earliest convenience’ – Do it now!

‘Let me know if any questions!’ – I really hope you don’t have any questions.