Don't say no over email

This week's video post comes from the USC Trojan campus.

In this interview I talk about the appropriate use of email -- given its inherent weakness in communicating one's intentions.

Please share this with your friends, especially if they are passive aggressive and hide behind their email.

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Comments

[Aditya Kothadiya]

Hi Tim,
This is an amazing piece of advice. I did these mistakes several times, but now I learned a very powerful message – use a personal communication medium to convey your negations.

But, how and who will teach this message to HR people, recruiters, scholarship officials, admission authorities, and many more who reject, decline many offers of aspiring individuals through a plain text email?

For example, you may have 1-hour phone screen interview, but you will never receive a 10 minutes phone call from the same recruiter explaining why you couldn’t clear the interview. A plain text email works with them, as if they really don’t care about the candidates’ emotions.

I hope recruiters read your this post and handle this issue with more care!

Best,
Aditya

[Enakeno Ogbo]

I am probably quite addicted to email, as it saves me a lot of time. Conversations tend to get lenghty, and as much as I would like to pick up the phone an email is more convenient. But yeah, will try and practise this, also heard you on the maximum impact simulcast, shown in London yesterday. Great talk. Loved it. Thank You.

[Rob Bartlett]

Fantastic video clip. As one who tends to "hide behind my e-mail," I can totally relate to this issue. I like the rule that you set - Use e-mail for yes, maybe, and info ONLY. If I say that to myself over and over, maybe it will sink in!! Thanks.