5 times you should never send an email

Avery emailed his colleagues with reasons why he didn’t approve of mailing care packages to troops overseas. His email was in response to a request from the university to support the men and women of the military.

He wrote: “I think it is shameful that it is perceived as legitimate to solicit in an academic institution for support for men and women who have gone overseas to kill other human beings.”

The control factor in emails

Put aside the irony that our troops are fighting for his right to send that email. From a communications perspective, this email brings up a separate issue about what you can and cannot control when you send an email.

For instance, you cannot control how people will receive your message, what mood they will be in when they read it, how quickly they will respond to it, or why they might forward it to their friends—or even the media.

Frankly, the only factor you can control with emails is whether or not to hit the send button.

Your emotions are the best way to decide what to do. If you can describe yourself as “feeling _____” (fill in one of the emotions below), then slowly count to 10, take a walk, or do something other than send that email.

1. Angry