How to deal with those vague emails
Frankie Kemp
20 May 2019
If someone sends you a vague, unspecific email, we tend to just let it rot in the inbox. While that’s happening, the other person is angry there’s no response.
Instead of:
a) not responding;
or c) sending back an equally vague reply, do this:
Ask…
Why: maybe there’s an alternative to this request.
But don’t get back with questions phrased with ‘Why?’. These could seem too aggressive.
Instead of using questions with ‘why?’, ask these instead:
- Can I ask why you need this for tomorrow?
- I’m wondering why you need..
- What’s the thinking behind…
- What triggered this need….
What: do you want exactly
Where: must it be
When: would you like it
Your Action:
Next time you get a big ask, or a vague one, pose a
1. Why alternative
and only then ask questions with:
2. What
3. Where
4. When
