Written Tone Matters

As we are now in a world of less talking and more texting / emails, it is more important than ever to understand that the written tone of those messages matters.

Here is an example of what I mean...

Person #1 (Ashley) sends a text message to a coworker: "Have you finished your part of the project yet?"

Person #2 (Brenna) starts their day off with a argument with their spouse, and so they open this text and immediately take offence and get mad.

Brenna reads the message as if Ashley is frustrated or upset because she read "you have not finished your part YET" with the emphasis on the YET

And then the thoughts spiral...What do they mean yet? Can't they see that I am busy? I am working my butt off on this and it is still not enough? I will get it done when it is supposed to be done! Ashley needs to get off my back!

But what Ashley meant is that SHE has not done her part yet......and wanted to see if Brenna had done hers!

Now...Try reading the text both without being angry.

Written tone matters. This is just a tiny example of 1 sentence of a text message. Written tone matters in text messages, e-mails, social media posts, and work documents. We are digital now in almost every aspect of our lives, so it is important to learn the new normal way of communicating.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE be recognizing of just how easily it is to have something taken the incorrect way.

Also please be aware of how YOU read a text.

Sometimes it's just a question. Sometimes people don't think before they hit send. A little bit of kindness and grace are required of us all right now!