Monday Motivation

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We all know that the pace of life has increased rapidly with expectations that we can be reached 24/7 and that we should respond instantaneously to other's texts and emails.  This rush to take action is causing us to miss important information and respond too quickly. Recently, I emailed a co-worker a set of questions I needed answers to and she responded quickly with answers to two of four questions I asked.  I was pulled away on a project and a week later I asked her for responses to my last two questions.  She apologized profusely and said she did not see my last two questions because her smartphone would only allow her to see a small amount of text and therefore she did not my last two questions.

In my last newsletter, I mentioned the importance of meetings in determining your future.  I need to also include the way you communicate electronically.  Whether emailing or texting, your boss is judging you for the accuracy of your responses as well as how quickly you respond.  Here are a few thoughts on how to handle this recent smartphone faux pas:

• If your boss sends you a somewhat lengthy email or text, make sure you read it in its entirety!  It is better to err on the side of slowness (24 hour rule applies here) with good thinking and follow up questions than speed respond with incompetent questions that make you look foolish.

• If you see yourself as someone who does not scroll down their email messages and responds embarrassingly too quickly, SLOW DOWN.  Especially regarding messages from your boss!  Take the time to read the full message or get to a PC or laptop and see the entire message before you respond.

• Really think through every communication with your boss or other superiors before you speak.  Ask yourself if you are putting your best foot forward. Are you going to create more work for them?  Will your thoughts add value or make you look foolish?  I do not want you to become paranoid around your boss but they do control your future and why not spend a few minutes thinking before you speak or respond? 

• If you find your employees or co-workers not reading your emails, you may want to consider their length.  Shorter emails are always better but perhaps two short emails with the same information as one lengthy one will get a better response.  You may want to send out a reminder email to staff asking them to read all email information before asking questions contained in your email.  For instance, you may ask at the front of the email (read through its entirety).

Question for You:

Do you value speed over accuracy?  Are you someone that needs to respond to all electronic media instantaneously? Do you have staff or co-workers that respond to only portions of your messages?

Action for You:

Slow down...especially when it comes to communication with your boss.  Accuracy is critical to how you are perceived along with speed.  Ask yourself if you are creating a good impression with your written communication or are you embarrassing yourself?  If you have to repeatedly answer questions that are posted in your emails are they too long?  Would several shorter emails work more effectively than longer ones?  Do you need to ask your staff to slow down before responding and to read messages in their entirety on other devices if necessary?  While this problem may seem small at first glance, duplication of effort is a waste of time and energy and ultimately makes your boss and organization less productive.

"There is more to life than simply increasing its speed."

Mahatma Gandhi

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