Etiquette; but for Email

In today's digital age, where the click of a button sends messages, email has become the backbone of communication, especially in the corporate world. We have so much so relied on email for discussions and decisions, that entire days can pass without a single face-to-face meeting or even phone calls. And I, as an introverted millennial, am all for it. I am one of those ‘this could have easily been an email’ people. But with its widespread use comes a set of unspoken rules and norms that we are all expected to follow, even when we don’t really want to.

Picture this: you receive an email that sets your teeth on edge. Your initial instinct might be to fire off a savage reply, letting loose a series of words or phrases of pent-up anger. But alas, social norms dictate otherwise. Instead, you are expected to maintain a facade of professionalism, greeting that person with a “Dear”, masking your contempt with “Kindly”, signing off with "Best Wishes" and “Sincerely” – phrases that have become so overused that, in my opinion, have lost all meaning. Why are you made to comply with this madness? Because one ill-tempered email sent when emotions are heated can threaten a career.

We have all let loose once or twice though. I know we have some embarrassing stories to tell. I, for one, have a complicated relationship with the 'Forward' button. Let's just say, a few misdirected emails have made me a little extra cautious before clicking. You forward an entire message to someone forgetting to take out unnecessary information at the bottom and somewhere in that never-ending chain of correspondence, you might have said that person is a loser. Regular emailers know that they must watch what they write because email is not necessarily private. You really are at the mercy of the person you send the email to because they can simply transfer the chain to just anybody, leaving your level of professionalism, leadership style, and communication open for judgment.

However, in recent years, we are seeing emails letting loose a bit. HR is sending out emails adorned with party popper and confetti ball emojis, while that Gen Z in marketing is responding with a smile with a sweat emoji in an email that was intended to be sent a couple of hours earlier. Because it’s not that deep, is it?

More to this, with the rise of automated response tools, composing emails has never been easier – or more impersonal. Gone are the days of crafting heartfelt messages; now, it is as simple as typing a few keywords and letting the algorithms do the rest. Is it easy or lazy? It will be a discussion for another day. But it begs the question: when emails first came into existence (in 1971, by the way), was this what the founding fathers had in mind? A whole etiquette for it? Did they envision a world where 'sucking up to each other', for lack of a better term, is needed to keep one's job? Food for thought...

All things considered, we all need to ensure that every communication reflects our values, tone, and personality. I believe the same goes for companies. By showcasing professionalism and courtesy in their email communications brands can reinforce a positive perception among their audience and foster stronger relationships.