The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.  – Vincent Lombardi

You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.  – Henry Ford

As a leader in your team be careful what you send out.  Negatives can bring the whole team down, squish energy and a bunch of other stuff.

Sending global angry emails to your group is never ever productive.  Pick up the phone in those circumstances.  Email can build hard feelings and mistrust if you use it poorly.

Group correctional emails are also not usually productive.  You need to use them sparingly (like almost never).  Have a meeting with a few of your people that are messing up whatever it is, but don’t penalize the whole group for a few people.

If you need to send a directional email that is fine, like a reminder that everyone needs to be on time or park in designated parking or whatever.  Make it positive and even toned.  Give the offenders a reminder while reminding everyone, they will know who they are.

What if my boss sends me negative emails?

I would recommend NOT forwarding them to your whole team unless it really applies to them.  Even then try to have a group meeting, print the email and go over it as a group.  Why?  As a group you can brainstorm ways to make it happen.  Then you are creating an opportunity for positive growth.

Getting nasty emails about sales being down?  Do you think forwarding your emails to your team will motivate them to do better?  It won’t.  You are the manager. You take the heat.  Don’t use the “my boss is on my case for us to improve”.  Does that make you look like an effective leader? No.

How about having a meeting, ask the group how they are doing then move the meeting forward.  Say something like, “Team, we have some real challenges with sales right now.  Let’s come up with some ideas to improve.”   Guess what? You got the negative email, you don’t need to share it…  And guess what, you turned it into a positive!

If you have a developed team working for you and need to come up with some new ideas for something it works best to send them a head’s up a couple days ahead so they will come up with ideas and it won’t be a surprise topic at the meeting.  Try this…

“Team, as you know we are facing some challenges right now with sales. I am looking for some fresh ideas we could use to improve.  We are going to have a meeting on Wednesday at 2:00.  Please come prepared with your ideas.”

Sounds easy doesn’t it?   It is.  Maybe if your company allows you can also say the winning idea gets lunch with you.  Or maybe make the meeting a pizza party so you are sure you will have great participation.

Global Communication

And if that weren’t enough for you to master, consider how global changes are affecting communication in business. Now you’re not just dealing with your business in Ohio, but you might also have technical support sites in India, parts suppliers in China, and manufacturing plants in Mexico.

It’s bad enough when a mis-communication between you and your team means they have to re-work a project, causing another day of work. Now consider a mis-communication between your Mexican manufacturing plant and your Chinese supplier who ships 100,000 of the wrong parts.

Poor communication in business is costly!

The Personal Cost of Poor Communication

Besides costing money within the company, poor communication in business can cost you the job you’re seeking.

Because communication is going to be a part of your job, whether small or large, companies look at your communication skills – written and verbal – during the hiring process.

The National Commission on Writing estimates that American businesses spend $3.1 billion dollars annually just training their employees to write.

Let’s say it again – poor communication in business is costly!

If your business communication skills are higher than those around you, you’re in a better position to get the job, get the promotion, be more productive, and save the company money.

Taking steps to improve your business communication, both written and verbal, will bring you benefits now and throughout the rest of your career and life!