So, why do you send email? Seriously, do you think about what your intention is behind sending an email? What do you really want to happen?
More than likely you'd say:
- to dispel information
- to persuade someone to do something
- to confirm information
- to delegate action
And, yes, these might seem like motivations, but consider context and consider intention. People say they got married because they were in love, but their intention very well may have been to marry someone who can support them financially. One is an acceptable motivation, while the other is their true intention.
So, consider your intention. Who are you sending the email to? At what time of day are you sending it? Is it the weekend? Who's copied? Suddenly, you're not just dispelling information or delegating action, right?
You may be:
- Covering your ass for something you put off doing
- Pointing blame in a different direction
- "Delegating" work you should actually be doing
- Perpetuating a 24/7 work culture
- Putting forth a false impression that you're someone who works late
So...
Have the integrity and grit to refrain from sending emails with negative intentions. Be honest with yourself in email and it can have a ripple effect throughout all of your business communications. Be bigger than the next guy. Know that it's okay to wait till Monday to respond. Know that by sending your subordinate a non-urgent email late on a Friday you're sending a cloaked message along with it that says, "Don't think about getting out of here early today."
It's not an easy thing to admit, but if you're serious about a remedy to your bloated inbox, this is a magnificent first step.
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