With so many overflowing inboxes, it’s easy to see that email has become the default way of communicating for so many of us.  Checking email first thing in the morning and the self-initiated habit of logging on a million times a day tends to be the norm these days.  Yes, it’s quick and easy, but is email really the best form of communication when our lives are already so busy?  The answer is categorically no…

Sending simple instructions, an email or two to organise an event, and keeping colleagues in the loop are some of the common scenarios where email is a saving grace, but when it comes to managing tricky situations it’s unfortunately the tool many hide behind when in fact they should be bypassing it altogether!

It can feel as though email makes challenging issues less confrontational and stressful, but really it’s simply a convenient way of procrastinating over something you’d rather not face instead of having the balls to pick up the phone or meet someone face to face.

On top of that, email tends to create a string of messages rather than one quick and easy interaction, and coupled with the prospect of misinterpretation and lack of personal contact, it’s not surprising that the thing we all rely on so much has got many in a tricky situation or two!

Although it might not sound like it, I’m a big fan of email, but I also think it’s important to question the way we do things from time to time and make sure that we’re choosing the smartest option.  In many cases, picking up the phone is way more productive and effective than smashing out another message on your computer – for example: –

• If you’re dealing with a problem a quick phone call can nip the issue in the bud whereas a string of heated emails can escalate the issue very quickly

• It’s difficult to get the right tone across effectively on email regardless of how many smiley faces you write – being misunderstood is a common trap that many fall in to when emailing

• You’ve got no control over how quickly someone responds on email, but by picking up the phone you’re much more likely to get a faster reply

So next time you go to write an email, just a take moment to think about whether it’s really the best option.  Could you get a better or faster result another way?  If the answer is yes, don’t fall into trap of using email regardless.  Do the smart thing – pick up the phone or see someone in person – it’s a much better way to build a relationship and get the results you’re looking for.