4 ms·

In a similar vein, my boss taught me to apply a similar strategy for writing effective emails: 1) Here’s what’s happening 2) This is what I need from you to a

In a similar vein, my boss taught me to apply a similar strategy for writing effective emails: 1) Here’s what’s happening 2) This is what I need from you to address what is happening 3) This when I need it by. 4) Happy to answer any questions about the above.

na85 4y ago
One of my mentors very astutely pointed out that the military, or at least the Air Force, is commonly said to run on 3 things: - Excel spreadsheets - Emails - Threats Having spent some years as a commissioned officer I wholeheartedly concur that what you've got there is the best way to get things done in a large org. A single well-crafted email can have significantly outsized effect. The only thing I commonly added was a 5th clause (or an addendum to #3) detailing the consequences should the person not grant your request. This works both up and down the chain of command, but don't forget to add something in the vein of "for your consideration sir/ma'am" if addressing a superior officer.
- quartesixte 4y ago
  Funnily enough my boss learned it from a mentor who was a former military officer. I forgot about the consequences clause, but partially because I work in a team where we’re the ones sent into the address the consequences. So our consequence is an implicit “and “What’s Happening Keeps Happening.” Which is always fun but I recognize can be a bad habit once I (hopefully) stop firefighting.
121789 4y ago
I like your comment because it actually contains some other email best practices. 1) Keep it really really short. 2) Use bullet points (numbers are better than bullets)
aaalll 4y ago
I find this works great in 1:1 communication. Inverting 1 and 2 has been more successful for me on communication to a larger audience. Example: Need to update windows by tonight or you won't be able to log in. Because x xploit. Compared to: We have been notified of x xploit. We all need to update windows by tonight. But good framework.

na85 4y ago

One of my mentors very astutely pointed out that the military, or at least the Air Force, is commonly said to run on 3 things: - Excel spreadsheets - Emails - Threats Having spent some years as a commissioned officer I wholeheartedly concur that what you've got there is the best way to get things done in a large org. A single well-crafted email can have significantly outsized effect. The only thing I commonly added was a 5th clause (or an addendum to #3) detailing the consequences should the person not grant your request. This works both up and down the chain of command, but don't forget to add something in the vein of "for your consideration sir/ma'am" if addressing a superior officer.

quartesixte 4y ago
Funnily enough my boss learned it from a mentor who was a former military officer. I forgot about the consequences clause, but partially because I work in a team where we’re the ones sent into the address the consequences. So our consequence is an implicit “and “What’s Happening Keeps Happening.” Which is always fun but I recognize can be a bad habit once I (hopefully) stop firefighting.

121789 4y ago

I like your comment because it actually contains some other email best practices. 1) Keep it really really short. 2) Use bullet points (numbers are better than bullets)

aaalll 4y ago

I find this works great in 1:1 communication. Inverting 1 and 2 has been more successful for me on communication to a larger audience. Example: Need to update windows by tonight or you won't be able to log in. Because x xploit. Compared to: We have been notified of x xploit. We all need to update windows by tonight. But good framework.