More evidence is accumulating: e-mails risk insulting people. Books are being written; blogs are taking up the refrain. If you want to protect yourself, make every e-mail exude cordial good will.
Start with a salutation: Hi Jedediah, or Hi Friends, or Dear Bashemi, or even Dear Mr. Wolfe.
Close with cordiality: Thanks again, Take care, Best wishes, Best regards, or even Sincerely.
Never write an e-mail while you are angry, and if you do, save it as a draft and review it the next morning.
Consider phoning instead.
If you must send an e-mail with a negative evaluation, lard it with good wishes and include whatever praise you can.
If someone has hurt you, and you must reply, start by thanking them for their input.
Sound more cordial than you feel. Remember, an e-mail message does not automatically convey the goodness of your personality. An e-mail appears on the receipient's screen like an inkblot. He or she projects emotionality onto the words. And even "please" can be an insult if recipients take it that way.
Cultivate cordiality. It could save your career.
