Have you ever wanted to retract an email right after sending it?
Most workers understand that feeling, and the youngest professionals are the ones most likely to regret sending emails.
According to a survey of 2,000 US office workers from Babbel, about 88% of people say they regret the content of a work email shortly after hitting send, and 28% even believe the email they sent was fraudulent. directly affects their career. language learning platform.
And only about 1 in 5 Gen Z office workers aged 18 to 24 say they “very often regret” the emails they send.
Two big mistakes that can lead to email regret are: There are spelling errors and unclear messagessaid Esteban Touma, a culture and linguistics expert at Babbel.
To avoid those mistakes, take time to “pause and review emails carefully, making sure the tone is appropriate and the content is clear and concise,” Touma tells CNBC Make It. “Look for any potential ambiguity or misunderstanding that may arise from the wording. Consider whether all necessary information has been included and whether the message effectively conveys the intended meaning. your intention or not.”
4-step process to avoid sending unfortunate emails
Another important tip: Don't react to something that's stressful, says Christina Gialleli, director of human resources operations at Epignosis, a learning software company.
She recommends using the GROW framework, which stands for:
- Goal: What am I trying to achieve with this message or response?
- Reality: Does this message address the reality of what is happening?
- Options: Does this message give the person options to move forward?
- What we will do: Does this notice specify what action we will take next?
In other words, “make sure the email very clearly includes the topic you're trying to cover, action items, and next steps,” she says.
If you find yourself feeling flustered while drafting an email, Touma says it's best to take a break and review the message with a “calm and composed mind.”
“Instead of sending the email immediately, consider drafting the email first and saving it as a draft,” he added. “This allows you to review emails with a new perspective after some time has passed. When reviewing drafts, you can identify areas for improvement or review the entire content.”
For urgent matters, it's best to respond within an hour or two, Touma says, although for matters that aren't time-sensitive, responding within 24 hours is “considered polite.” and professional”.
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