Effective Communication: Making Requests Clear and Easy
Communication is a common area where many of us struggle. Don’t you hate it when you remember just as you’re about to fall asleep at night about the text you forgot to reply to or the email you never responded to? This happens to me frequently.
With so many requests coming in through various channels, it’s easy to forget to respond or lose track of what’s important. While we need to stay make efforts to stay on top of our incoming messages and emails, as senders, we can make the task easier for others by making requests clear and easy to understand.
When sending emails or text messages, it’s important to be concise and get to the point quickly. Instead of burying the request within paragraphs of text, put it front and center. Consider using a clear and informative subject line that signals to the recipient what action is required. And if you need a response by a specific deadline, make that clear as well.
It’s also helpful to consider the recipient’s perspective. Make it easy for them to respond by providing all necessary information upfront and being specific about what you need from them. This will ensure that you receive the information you need in a timely manner by making it easier for the recipient to respond.
Not getting the response you hoped for from your team? You could be you are guilty of unclear communication.
