Instead of asking “why” questions, reframe to ask “how” questions. For instance, if you are trying to get the team to rethink an approach, it may beg the question, how can we work together to XYZ? This opens it up for discussion and allows you to steer the direction of your counterpart, coercing them to problem solve on behalf of your points or goals.

Keep it professional, clear, and solution-focused. Start with a neutral, positive tone — acknowledge their perspective or effort. Use "I" statements to avoid sounding accusatory (e.g., "I noticed..." instead of "You did..."). Stay factual, avoid emotional language, and offer constructive solutions. If addressing an issue, frame it as a shared goal: "To ensure smooth project delivery, let’s align on..." rather than "You need to fix this." End with an open-ended question or invitation to discuss: "Let me know your thoughts." or "Happy to chat further." And never, ever, hit "Send" in the heat of the moment — draft, pause, and review!

Been there and speaking from experience. - Keep it short, clear, and neutral. - No passive-aggressive lines like "As per my last email" - just straight facts. - If it's dicey, record a Loom instead - tone matters. - Use emojis sparingly. It helps. Seriously.