letters, e-mail, and text…
what is being communicated other than what is obviously stated?
A few weeks ago, I had an encounter at work. There was a meeting scheduled between 2 divisions. I am member of Division A, Division B is at a different locale. I received e-mail exchanges from Division B hinting that the scheduled meeting was at an inopportune time. And finally at the 25th hour, a manager from Division B requests a meeting cancellation. So, initially I replied one monkey doesn’t stop a show – ok I kid, I didn't use that specific language, but that was my attitude about said situation.
When I got a response e-mail informing me of Division B travel status majority of the team was off-site – and therefore the Division sought to reschedule the meeting. I began to draft a response stating you all were aware of this shyt prior to confirming the scheduled meeting. And then, like an angel in the night, my boss replies to all parties and curtly and courteously appreciates being informed of the meeting cancellation prior to me responding.
I wonder did my boss know I was in the thick of my thoughts. That my reply e-mail would have blown some steam? I think I recall my blood pressure going up, like I was gonna give it to Division B. And then with the serendipitous intervention of my boss, I breathed and asked myself “why are you so livid, Bellini” and you need to find a undercover way to thank your boss be’cuz the professional maturity you usually display was going to be undermined by some juvenile banter.
And so I keep wondering to this day, what vibes or lack of did my boss pick up on? How did he know it was the right time to intervene? You guys don’t get it, he really diffused a situation, a situation that never witnessed any verbal exchange. So how did he know via reading e-mails, that something was potentially brewing under surface? And did Division B, deem Bellini as hostile?
Even in texting situations w/ the 5 spot, I’ve been told to simmer down. Huh? What signals are the gang gettin' from computerized wavelengths. And now that I've been given a blackberry for work, I'm too intimidated to reply instanteously. Oh, the digital age and its gadgets. Bellini can't keep up.
cheers,
Bellini
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4 comments:
HAHAHAHA! Who done messed around and gave you a crackberry? Do they know you?
Don't be intimidated to respond instantaneously, but do be cautious. You'll find yourself away from the office, check your phone and be caught up in a hail storm of responses. You'll be expected to say your piece, but I think what can happen cause we're so busy and the thing is so small, and who feels like typing on it for days, and so you'll want to say the first thing that comes to mind which is usually like, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? ARE Y'ALL CRAZY?" Oh I'm sorry. That's just what my boss used to say to us from her crackberry. Bad flashback. But the desire and need to make it short and sweet is key. But unfortunately that can be interpreted as rudeness. And things get misunderstood. Because people infer and insert their on tone. And when you throw CAPS and !!! into the situation, it's a wrap...
OH that is SO true Rum Punch, that is why I have to throw in a "Hi there", "Thanks" or "Let me know if you would like to discuss". Not always the best but I let my emails simmer before I respond. I read them over at least twice before pressing send because my "Shantangy" (as my dept calls her) is quick to rear her head.
I am a fan of the quick and to the point but unfortunately the folks I email sometimes are not on that level. This is business correspondence not pen-pal love letters... it might have something to do with the decline of corporate world etiquette.
@ Courvoisier - LOL @ Shantangy! Oh that made me laugh...
@rummy: don't worry i laid the law down about my BB expectations - i had IT program it for automatic shut-off @ 9:30p.m and powers on @ 6:30 am; also ev'ry body knows Bellini has a life and ain't no bizness to interfere w/ that!
@courvoisier: who knew that was your pseudoynm? lmao; well these are unchartered territories for me -- 'cuz i don't do gadgets, so we'll see what happens
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