Managing Sticky Situations at Work

Sticky E-situations 177desk. We appreciate the time it takes to actually put a letter in anenvelope and attach a stamp. These efforts suggest something muchmore meaningful than they did in the past. The telephone call, whichused to be more impersonal, has become an ‘‘interaction.’’ Indeed,we’ve reached a new crossroads in communication where we mustdecide on a medium for our message not based on convenience alonebut based on purpose and intent.WHEN TO USE E-COMMUNICATION?E-mail• When communicating with a large group of people.• When communicating simple, direct, clear facts, for example, ‘‘We’remeeting at the corner of Fifth Street at noon.’’• When only one or two responses will give you an answer. Not whentrying to reach a complex decision.• When communicating across continents or great distances. (Althoughtelephone services, such as Skype, have become so inexpensive thatphone contacts, too, can be an alternative to e-mail if distance is theonly obstacle).• When setting up a telephone appointment or a face-to-faceappointment.• When including a link to an article or blog you think someone mightenjoy reading.• When you do not want to interrupt the other person. For examplewhen the other person is in a meeting, on an airplane, attending awedding or funeral, or otherwise unavailable by telephone.Texting and IM’s• Texting is a great alternative to cell phone conversations in public.Who wants to listen to you set up your big presentation or buyyour car?• When you need an instant response. But, how often do you really needan instant response? Some examples of when an instant response mightbe necessary include when you are lost and need to get to an importantmeeting; your flight was cancelled and you need to contact othersbefore they depart their cities; documents were not received; or youneed to locate your teenage daughter.