Do It Right First. Fast Second.
(Cross posted to Searchblog and Medium. Cuz that’s how we roll these days)
If you’ve never blown it big time using email?—?you will.
I have several times?—?in fact, I just did it earlier this evening. And gaaaah!, I wish technology had an answer for the clear and present danger that is myself, rushing through an afternoon, trying to GSD and hit inbox zero. Then again, life does have an answer: SLOW. THE F*CK. DOWN.
Allow me to explain. Earlier today I got an email newsletter from an organization that is doing a NewCo session next week. I noticed that while the newsletter was promoting all manner of things, it didn’t mention its own NewCo session?—?even though the contents of the newsletter were all about upcoming events and other goings on that might be of interest to the intended audience.
A bit miffed, I forwarded said newsletter to my team, asking in rather frank terms why our partner wasn’t promoting its own session in its main communications outlet. A typically frank back and forth ensued, ending with my decision to forward the offending newsletter to folks I knew at the organization, with a polite top note enquiring if they might include mention of their session in a subsequent missive.
If you’ve made the same mistake as me, you know what happened next.
Yep, I forwarded the email with all of the frank back and forth between my team included.
Holy f*ckin’ mother of chr*st I am such a huge assh*le. That was my first response. Second response? “Wait, isn’t therea way to unsend this?” Third response. “Oh sh*t, I have to change settings and it only works within 30 seconds and sh*t it’s already been longer than that.” Fourth response? A servile, lame-ass apology to the (most likely forever offended) parties involved.
Fifth response? Write this post. Reminding all of us to- slow down. The goal is not to get shit done. The goal is to get it done right.
Why am I in such a rush? NewCo SF and Oakland are next week and there's so much to do! 200+ companies, 2000+ attendees - get out there and see the real world!
Secretary at Shopping D
9 年Good mornig.
business at Fashion orientation at own alcun
9 年sending is not the issue ,, the issue is passing the understanding spirit at the right time.:thus ...The reader, reading at the right time and the the right moment cause you might not right correctly but the reader understands correctly
Director of Compensation & Employment at Lamar University
9 年I learned a long time ago to wait before hitting send. Often I'll write the email and then leave it open on my desktop, go on to something else, and come back to it later. If I still think it's a good idea, I'll hit send. Otherwise I'll rewrite it or delete it entirely.
President, CXO, Board Member | Startup Founder, Advisor | Future of Work | SaaS, Web 3, AI, Digital Communities + Platforms | Co-Founder BlogHer, Optionality
9 年I just dealt with this with a comment someone on my team unwittingly sent to a partner. What's done is done, but we had to break out the old rule book and remind the team: If you don't have something nice to say, say it offline.
Pharmacy Technician
9 年We're all human, and bound to make this mistake at least once or twice. Do your best to prevent it, but I'm sure it'll slip through at some point. When it does, just be up front about it. Don't sugar coat it or try to make excuses. Just let them know that your emotions got the best of you, apologize genuinely, and assure them you'll be more careful in the future. With any luck, they'll be understanding and respect your honesty and sincerity on the matter.