Digital Work Etiquette

Do this to write an effective EMAIL In a world where we're constantly bombarded with emails every day, how do you ensure your email gets noticed in the sea of spam? The answer lies in "effective email writing." Whether you write an email for an interview, pitch a new idea, or connect with fellow teammates, how you write your email can make all the difference. Here are some Do's and Don'ts to level up your email communication: 📌 Email address Don't - Use personal information or a quirky email address. Do - Use a professional email address that includes your Name or business name. 📌 Purpose of your email Don't - Write an email without understanding the goal. This will confuse your readers. Do - Identify the outcome you want to achieve. 📌 Subject line Don't - Use generic language, mislead your recipient, or make it too long. Do – Craft a personalized subject line using correct grammar and action-oriented language. 📌 Email Opening Don't - Write unnecessary small talk or pleasantries. Do - Start your email with a friendly greeting and clearly state the purpose of your email. 📌 Craft your message Don't - Use language that the recipient may not understand. Do - Include relevant details with short sentences and paragraphs. 📌 Call to action Don't - End your email without telling them what to do next. Do - Provide a next step for the recipient, such as scheduling a call or meeting or sharing any additional information. 📌 Email sign-off Don't - Use inappropriate closing. Do - Use courteous closings like "Best regards" or "Thank you." ➡️ Additional points to remember while crafting an email: ▪️ Use formatting to improve readability. ▪️ Keep your language professional. ▪️ Proofread your email before sending it. ▪️ Avoid using all caps. ▪️ If you don't receive a response, consider following up with a polite tone. ➡️ Sample email Subject: Meeting Request - Project XYZ Update Hello [Name], I hope this email finds you well. I am requesting a meeting to discuss the progress of Project XYZ. Our team has made significant progress in the past few weeks, and I would like to share an update with you. Are you available to meet next week on Wednesday at 2 p.m.? If that time doesn't work, please let me know and suggest an alternative time. During the meeting, I would like to share the project's current status, discuss any roadblocks we may have encountered, and identify any additional resources we may need. Please let me know if that works for you, and if so, I will send over a calendar invite with the details. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to hearing back from you. Best regards, [Your Name] #interviewpreparation #interviewquestions #linkedinforcreators #emailetiquette

Struggling to give feedback without causing friction? Here’s a clear and respectful way to share your perspective while staying open to someone else’s: Instead of saying: “You didn’t explain the changes clearly, and now the project’s off track.” Try: “I felt confused about the recent changes and I’m concerned about how they’ll impact the timeline. Can you walk me through your thinking so I can understand your approach better?” Using “I” statements does a few important things: • It shares your experience without assigning blame • It invites dialogue rather than defensiveness • It shows you’re willing to listen and understand, even if you disagree Direct communication can still be kind, curious, and collaborative.

By now, you already know: the best roles are rarely filled through job boards. They’re filled through relationships. Over the years, I’ve refined a method I call the “Strategic Access Framework.” Here’s how it works: 1️⃣ Identify the right people inside your target company Don’t just think about recruiters. Instead, ask: Who has insights about the team, culture, and challenges I want to be part of? These are the leaders and decision-makers worth building a connection with. 2️⃣ Initiate a conversation to learn, not to pitch Set up meetings with genuine curiosity. Ask about the company’s direction, leadership priorities, and what success looks like in their roles. When you focus on learning, you naturally leave a stronger impression. 3️⃣ Position yourself for a referral Referrals don’t happen by accident. They come from thoughtful conversations. By asking the right questions and sharing relevant experiences, you’ll naturally open the door for them to connect you to the right opportunity. 4️⃣ Nurture the relationship long-term A single meeting isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. Stay in touch, share insights, and keep the dialogue going. That way, when opportunities arise (and they will), your name is already top of mind. I’ve seen professionals land interviews and offers within weeks by applying this approach. The key is to stop relying on online applications and start investing in the relationships that drive hiring decisions.

In a world where our inboxes overflow with a deluge of emails, how can you ensure your message shines like a beacon of clarity and purpose? In a world inundated with emails, how can you ensure your message grabs attention? The key lies in the art of 'effective email writing.' Whether you're composing an email for a job interview, pitching a new idea, or connecting with colleagues, your email's composition can be a game-changer. Here are some actionable tips to enhance your email communication: ✘ What to Avoid: • Steer clear of using personal or unconventional email addresses. • Never send an email without a clear purpose. • Avoid generic language, misleading the recipient, or excessive verbosity. • Skip unnecessary small talk and pleasantries. • Don't use jargon or language the recipient might not understand. • Always provide clear instructions for the next steps. ✔ What to Do: • Use a professional email address that includes your name or business name. • Clearly define your intended outcome. • Craft a personalized subject line with proper grammar and action-oriented language. • Begin your email with a friendly greeting and a concise statement of your email's purpose. • Present relevant information using concise sentences and paragraphs. • Offer a clear next step, such as scheduling a call or sharing additional information. • Use polite closings like "Best regards" or "Thank you." 📌 Sample Email: Subject: Scheduling a Meeting for Project Collaboration Discussion Dear [Recipient's Name], I trust this message finds you in good health. I'm reaching out to explore the potential for collaboration on an upcoming project that aligns seamlessly with your expertise and our shared goals. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to delve into this further through a brief meeting. Please share your availability for a call or meeting next week, and I'll coordinate accordingly. Thank you for considering this proposition, and I eagerly anticipate the prospect of collaborating. Best regards, [Your Name]

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬: 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. I didn’t realize how many problems were coming from “okay” emails until I started working on fast-moving projects. Delays, confusion, back-and-forth, most of it wasn’t complexity. It was unclear communication. So I started using a simple structure that works almost every time. Here’s the template: 📍Start with context (1–2 lines): Why are you writing this email? “Following up on our discussion on X…” “Sharing an update on Y…” This aligns the reader instantly. 📍State the purpose clearly What do you want from this email? “Objective: Finalize vendor selection for Phase 1.” No guessing. No ambiguity. 📍Add key points (3–5 bullets max) Only what matters. • Current status • Key issue/blocker • Relevant data/decision point If it’s longer, it’s not clear enough. 📍Call out the action required This is where most emails fail. “Action required: Please confirm Option A or B by EOD Friday.” Be specific on who, what, and by when. 📍Close with clarity, not politeness fluff Avoid: “Let me know your thoughts.” Instead: “Once confirmed, we will proceed with implementation.” This one change reduced back-and-forth significantly for me. Because most communication problems aren’t about intelligence. They’re about structure. People don’t need more information. They need clarity on what matters and what to do next. Before sending your next email, ask yourself: Can someone read this in 30 seconds and know exactly what to do? If not, rewrite it. #Communication #Productivity #WorkplaceSkills #Consulting #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerTips #EmailWriting

Following meeting agendas and finishing meetings on time are inclusive behaviours that’re truly underestinated. “If we skip this break we can finish 30-minutes earlier than planned” or “Does anyone mind if I do this agenda in a different order?”. Hands up if you’ve said one of the above. I know I have! Agendas exist for a reason. They tell people what they need to prepare in advance, and they also give an idea of what will be discussed at the meeting. Many people will prepare in advance, and some may even plan what they’re going to say based on the order of the meeting. If you change that at the last minute, it can be disorienting for many different types of people. Similarly, break times are important. You should aim to plan at least a 10-minute break for every hour of meeting you have, and you should also plan at least a 45-minute lunch break (preferably an hour) if it’s an all-day meeting. Importantly, though, you need to stick to these break times. Some disabled people will plan their personal care support schedule around meeting break times, some might plan ‘down time’ for their brains to rest and give the best they can to a discussion, some might need to take breaks to support their adjustments (e.g taking a guide dog out) or some might need to get out of the meeting room (virtual or physical) for other reasons. It shouldn’t be incumbent on them to declare their needs publicly in order to secure time that’s already in the agenda. Disabled people shouldn’t suffer because of poor meeting mismanagement. If you need to recover time or finish earlier, cut your content accordingly and not your break times. #DisabilityInclusion #Disability #DisabilityEmployment #Adjustments #DiversityAndInclusion #Content

The etiquette around AI notetakers in meetings is broken, and it’s time we fix it.   Every day, I see AI notetakers - those bots that transcribe, summarize, and analyse meetings - joining calls without warning. They just appear. No permission, no discussion, no transparency.   This raises a big red flag. Why? Data privacy.   Imagine you’re in a meeting, sharing sensitive ideas, strategies, or even proprietary details. And then you realise someone has brought an AI notetaker. You likely won’t know: --> What info it captured --> Where the data is stored --> How it will be used and shared --> Who will have access   In meetings between organizations, the risks are higher. That data is now beyond your control and will live outside your organisation's protections.   This isn’t just about tech; it’s about trust.   If we don’t respect people’s boundaries, how can we expect meaningful collaboration?   Here's how we can do better: --> If you use an AI bot: Always seek permission in advance. Some conversations just aren’t appropriate for AI transcription. And after the meeting, share the notes and actions with everyone. Transparency builds trust. --> If you organize meetings: Announce at the start if AI notetakers or recordings are present. People need to make informed choices about what they share. --> If you attend meetings: Ask if an AI bot is present, especially if sensitive topics are on the table.   As AI becomes a regular part of meetings, we have an opportunity to set the standard for ethical use. When we prioritize privacy, transparency, and fairness, we foster trust and accountability in every interaction.   Thoughts? --- ⚛ I'm Sarah Mitchell, PhD, AIGP, founder of NZ-based AI consultancy Anadyne IQ. No hype, just pragmatic AI guidance, workshops and tailored solutions.

How to use AI in the boardroom: recent Amplifying Cognition guest Christian Stadler and Martin Reeves have shared in HBR lessons learned from applying AI in board meetings of Austrian sneaker manufacturer Giesswein. They designed and over one year tested three different AI interventions: 1️⃣Agenda prompting: AI generated discussion prompts and recommendations in real-time based on the meeting agenda. 2️⃣Live prompting: AI was used mid-meeting to generate ideas and suggestions in response to ongoing discussions. 3️⃣Post-meeting Q&A: AI answered executives’ follow-up questions after meetings, with and without human-guided prompting. Their studies revealed three major implications: 🤯 Disruption becomes a feature, not a bug. ChatGPT’s clumsy integration into meetings disrupted habitual thinking and prompted deeper reflection. This helped long-aligned executives surface blind spots and engage in more balanced, fact-based discussions—especially during emotionally loaded decisions. 🧠 Completeness illusion creates hidden risks. The broad scope of AI-generated suggestions gave a false sense of thoroughness, leading executives to overlook key issues like legal considerations. This highlighted the need for human critical thinking to challenge and complement AI outputs. ⚡ AI accelerates action and reduces overhead. AI helped executives make faster decisions by instantly supplying data, estimates, and even communication materials like press releases. This replaced tasks typically delegated to consultants or support teams, saving time and money. Their conclusions echoes my own experience: the greatest value comes from a human facilitator using the tools well, not the tools on their own. "What makes AI a valuable member of the executive team is that it is different from humans. This disrupts and therefore broadens the considerations—in some cases, providing information quickly to move forward. But for this to work, it needs a human (a critical thinker but not necessarily an industry expert) to operate the tool. The collective intelligence of the combination of humans and the tools offers something new and exciting."

Getting Email Etiquette Right: Clear, Neuroinclusive Communication Email can be a minefield—too short and it seems abrupt, too long and it’s overwhelming. Have you read into an email and thought it was rude, abrupt or said something completely different to what it actually said? Did you find it hard to know what to do next? For some neurodivergent people, unclear language, implied meanings, or hidden expectations can make emails a source of stress. Here’s how to keep communication clear and more neuroinclusive: Be direct, not vague – Say what you mean. Instead of “Let’s catch up soon,” try “Are you free on Thursday at 2 PM for a 15-minute call?” Avoid reading between the lines – Not everyone picks up on subtle cues. If you need something, state it explicitly rather than hinting. Structure matters – Use bullet points, short paragraphs, and clear subject lines to make emails easier to process. Clarity over politeness overload – While greetings and sign-offs are important, excessive niceties (“Just checking in, hope you’re well, no rush but…”) can dilute the key message. Set expectations – If a response is needed, say when: “Please reply by Wednesday.” If not urgent, make that clear to reduce pressure. Neuroinclusive emails benefit everyone—less stress, fewer misunderstandings, and clearer communication. What would you add to the list?

Hybrid Meetings ≠ Inclusive Meetings. I’ve lived it - and here’s 5 practical tips to ensure everyone has a voice, regardless of location. I spent more than 10,000 hours in hybrid meetings while as a remote leader for The Clorox Company. I was often the 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 remote attendee - while the rest of the group sat together in a conference room at HQ. Here’s what I learned the hard way: 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲... ...by showing who gets heard, who feels seen, and who gets left out. If you're leading a distributed or hybrid team, how you structure your meetings sends a loud message about what (and who) matters. 𝟱 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 1️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 – who will actively combat distance bias and invite input from all meeting members 2️⃣ 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝗿 – to monitor the chat and the raised hands, to launch polls and to free up the facilitator to focus on the flow 3️⃣ 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗶𝗻 - so that there is equal access to the chat, polls, and reactions 4️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗱𝗱𝘆 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 – pair remote team members with in-room allies to help make space in the conversation and ensure they can see and hear everything 5️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘂𝗽 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 – be ready with a Plan B for audio, video, or connectivity issues in the room 𝘞𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳? 𝗧𝗿𝘆 𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹-𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. If even one person is remote, have everyone log in from their own device from their own workspace to create a level playing field. 🔗 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 for creating location-inclusive distributed teams in this Nano Tool I wrote for Wharton Executive Education: https://lnkd.in/eUKdrDVn #LIPostingDayApril