How To Respond To Unpleasant Emails

1. Take Your TimeAllow yourself to calm down

and figure out why that person sent you the email in the first place.

Always start with drafting a rough response. It allows you to vent the negative emotion you may have developed against the aggressive email sender.

Sit back and think logically. Focus on the issue at hand and not the personality. Maturity and professionalism in your actions is the key!

2. Dig deep and be Polite

Go through the email once you’ve gathered yourself. Analyze the source that initiated it. Overlook the impoliteness in the content to truly understand the message within.

Re-write the draft and start off polite. In no way try to match the negativity of the sender. Show courtesy in every word! This diffuses tension and aids in putting across you as a mature, stable and logical professional.

3. Seek Clarification

Communication via email does not exude emotions. Resorting to an initial face to face

communication is more likely to clarify the issue. Do not confront your coworker. Have a calm and

composed face.

In case face to face communication is not possible, try a telephonic conversation. Verbal communication fares better in such situations

than virtual communication.

If both are not possible, make sure your email covers emotions in any way possible. Use calming words and ask questions to seek

maximum clarification.

If the unpleasant communication continues then feel free to discuss the matter with your boss or manager. Workplace harassment or discourtesy is not acceptable hence you must bring the matter to light.

Being known as a pleasant and composed personality at work is desirable however, trying to please everyone may hinder the work. Be stern but always be logical and mature.