An email at work: a lesson for ages 18 to 25
Anger tells you something matters. Waiting before you respond, then speaking directly and calmly, usually gets a better result than an angry message.
Practice this lesson Watch the video
The situation
At your new job, a coworker takes credit for your idea in a team email.
- Coworker: Just sent out the updates for the client pitch.
- You: Wait, you put your name on the whole layout strategy?
- Coworker: Yeah, needed to get it out fast. Boss loved it.
- You: I spent three days on that design.
You start typing a furious reply to the whole team.
What would you do?
- Save it as a draft, cool off, and talk to them directly.
- Send the angry reply to everyone right away.
See the recommended choice and why
Recommended choice
Save it as a draft, cool off, and talk to them directly.
Anger tells you something matters. Waiting before you respond, then speaking directly and calmly, usually gets a better result than an angry message.
Your next step
Wait at least an hour before replying to anything that makes you angry.
Words you can use
“Can we talk about the project email?”
Sources
Lessons draw on guidance from these organizations. They link to it and do not reproduce it.
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