Make demands without offending an important person? An expert explains how to get the right tone in emails.
- When choosing words at work , you should make an effort.
- This doesn't just apply to the phone.
- You should also pay attention to friendly wording in e-mails .
Trouble choosing words in the office
Is there a problem with the boss, or has the colleague in the office * written an outrageous email and you would like to answer him outraged? Then it is better to pause, take a deep breath - and best sleep over it for one night before hitting the keys.
But you should also make an effort with your choice of words - both within the company and also vis-à-vis business partners. Because sentences that are said on the phone can quickly sound different in an email . "You don't see your counterpart in an email - you have nothing to interpret," says etiquette and personal trainer Susanne Helbach-Grosser.
Don't offend others
It is particularly challenging in everyday work, not to offend business partners or customers with demands and reminders. Helbach-Grosser then advises to formulate a sample mail and to read it at a later date. With a little distance, you are usually not so troubled - for example, if someone did not meet a deadline.
Also read: Working for another employer on vacation - is there even a risk of termination?
Formulate emails in a friendly way
In some cases it may be appropriate to first send a brief interim notice to the business partners. It can be used to indicate that you will report in more detail later. Then you can write an answer in peace. Basically, one should not forget that there is a person at the other end. It is often a one-time mistake and not a malicious intention.
If there are any negative hints of any kind, it usually helps to switch from the first person perspective to the first person perspective. The image consultant advises the use of phrases such as: "Wouldn't it be an advantage for you if ..." or "You probably thought about it ...".
Also make clear apologies
In other places, however, business partners are better off avoiding direct contact. Instead of "You forgot the following points about the concept", a more general wording such as "The concept should be supplemented with the following points ..." is more clever.
On the other hand, anyone who receives a reminder or claim should refrain from blaming them. Instead, apologies as such must be clearly formulated, said Helbach-Grosser.
Also interesting: Suspected infection with coronavirus - sick leave by phone possible for more than seven days
Do you want to stay up to date with the latest career news? Then follow our industry page on the Xing career portal.
Ten stress-free jobs where you can earn good money
To the photo gallery
ahu / dpa
* merkur.de is part of the nationwide central Ippen editorial network