| Inspiring Workplaces |
ISSUE 992 - Oct. 11, 2023 |
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Avoid These Annoying Email Phrases |
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Happy Bring Your Teddy Bear to Work Day! If you didn't bring a teddy bear to work, I hope you at least brought your inner teddy bear to work! But I digress...
So, thank you in advance, but as per my last newsletter (and correct me if I'm wrong) I thought I'd bring this to your attention. According to a survey by Preply, 83% of employees have received an email they consider passive-aggressive. Moreover, passive-aggressive emails appear to be on the rise, and they are a frequently cited source of stress and anxiety at work.
Some of the top phrases that are considered passive-aggressive include: "thanks in advance," "as per my last email," "correct me if I'm wrong," "as I previously mentioned," "I thought I'd bring this to your attention," and "bite me." (Okay, so "bite me" wasn't on the list. That's more of just a plain-old aggressive email phrase that you
should probably avoid.)
The phrase that topped the survey was "as per my last email" because it loosely translates to: "Don't you ever read or respond to emails you big doofus?"
And copying the boss was seen as an uber passive-aggressive move.
At least 50% of email messages are thought to have a "tonal" issue - as in receivers can't accurately interpret the tone of a given email. So be aware of how the tone of your email might be perceived.
Use plain, direct, but respectful language. Avoid sarcasm, keeping in mind that the written word does not smile. If in doubt, have someone else review your message before hitting send. Respond to a passive-aggressive email with kindness, don't get into a passive-aggressive arms race! And when in doubt, pick up the phone.
I'd love to hear from you, as always: What email phrase drives you the battiest?
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Mike's Fun at Work Tip |
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Employees are rarely late to meetings at the Inquisium division of the survey software company Cvent. To encourage everyone to show up on time, any latecomer to their meetings has to sing something in front of the entire group.They've heard everything from pop songs to nursery rhymes, and from happy birthday songs to the national anthem.
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Quote of the Week |
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“You can’t hire someone who can make sandwiches and then teach them to be happy. So we hire happy people and teach them to make sandwiches.” Philosophy at the Pret sandwich shop chain
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Funny Business |
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As seen on a sign in a public library:
Please do not eat in the library.
The ants will get in.
They will learn how to read.
Then, they will get too smart.
Knowledge is power.
Power corrupts.
So...the ants will turn evil and take over the world.
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Creating Culture Champions
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mike@mikekerr.com
Suite #644, 104-743 Railway Avenue, Canmore, AB, T1W 1P2 |
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