Too Busy to Be Kind?

I was teaching Better Business Writing the other day, and we were talking about communication style differences. An attendee told me something like this about her boss:

"My boss never says please, thank you, hello, or anything nice in email. He just tells me to do things. For instance, he'll send an email that says 'Don't forget to include these figures in the proposal' or 'Be sure this goes out in today's mail.'"

When I asked her whether she thought it was simply a style difference between them, she said, "Maybe, but it's very rude."

Could you be that rude boss? If so, take a few seconds to spread a little kindness. I timed myself typing the words below. Notice how little time it takes to communicate kindness and consideration. 

Please. (2 seconds)
Would you please (3 seconds)
Thanks.  (2 seconds)
Thank you! (3 seconds)
Thanks very much. (4 seconds)
Good morning. (3 seconds) 
Hello. (2 seconds)
I appreciate it. (4 seconds)
I hope you had a great weekend. (5 seconds)
Enjoy your lunch. (5 seconds) 

Isn't it worth it to invest a few seconds to raise an employee's morale? If you are reading this blog, I bet you enthusiastically agree. But if the boorish boss is part of your team, why not share this post? Maybe he will even thank you.

Good luck!

Lynn
Syntax Training

Comments

[r2r]

Hi,
saying (so called) nice things definitely is not a thing you need for living, however it is nice to hear things like that, even despite they do not bring immediate value to the business, your every-day operation is somehow better more positive and enthusiastic. I did not have good experience from my previous job in terms of boss-employee (here:me) relation. Some time ago I moved to different company (different country as well) where my boss was a very charismatic person, but at the same time he is very optimistic. There is probably no thing on Earth that would not be 'fantastic' for him. That was a bit confusing for me at the begining, but I think even if things do not go as he wishes that helps him to overcome difficulties.
From the other hand I am working with another company at the moment. Here saying 'fantastic' is rather cosidered to be sarcastic (which was what I felt before). People are saying things like: 'thank you' etc. at almost every occassion. I do not find *that* 'thank you' as optimistic and even motivating, as my previous bosses' (sorry I forgot where that apostrofe goes :\) 'fantastic'.
Conclusion: IMHO saying 'thank you's ' is good, it is helpful and polite, however there are some other words that can be used to make people around you even more positive - obviously there must be always good will and an effort taken to give and not only to take ;)

[letter samples]

hi,
Every business is totally dependent on the employees. If the employees are happy and enthusiastic, the work atmosphere in the office will be encouraging for all the others. So it is the responsibility of the officials to encourage the employees if they want to progress.

[Lynn]

I appreciate r2r's comment on communicating positively. A positive attitude is typically infectious and uplifting and is a key part of persuasive communication.

[Christine Knott]

What a delightful piece, and I love the fact that you have taken the time to identify how long it would take to type the kind words you refer to. Sadly all too often people use email as they would speak in a conversation. ie Type without thinking - no allowance for checking the content - they just say what they want to say and generally with an ommision of politeness and kindness. Good luck in your quest. I shall be directing people to you from our blog now that I have discovered you. You have some really good posts and articles.

[Lynn Gaertner-Johnston]

Christine, thanks for your kind comments. I also appreciate your blog's link to my article "Adapting to Your Readers' Style Differences."

Best regards,

Lynn