How to email ‘like a boss’: Careers expert Sue Ellson lists the mistakes office workers make

A careers expert has revealed the things you should and shouldn’t include in an email if you want to sound ‘like a boss’, and when it’s best to have a phone or face-to-face conversation instead. 

LinkedIn specialist Sue Ellson, from Sydney, said the difficulty is that unlike when you speak on the phone or in person, email can be interpreted in many different ways. 

However, as a general rule of thumb she said it’s never a good idea to go into an email writing ‘you’ something, like ‘you need to’, ‘you should’ or ‘you must’.

‘Any statement that feels like a judgement will not go down well, especially if it makes assumptions about the other person’s perspective or situation,’ Sue told FEMAIL.

‘Avoid saying you should, you must or you didn’t and ask first – something like can you please.’

She added: ‘You need to find out the facts before making statements.’

Sue said it’s important to use a few extra words to ‘make up for the loss of vocal tone that comes from spoken dialogue’ (stock image)

Sue said it’s important to use a few extra words in emails to ‘make up for the loss of vocal tone that comes from spoken dialogue’.

For example, if something took longer than expected, it might be a good idea to write something like ‘thank you for understanding the delay due to’.

Similarly, if you want to convey that you are busy, she recommends you write ‘I am available at the following times’.

If you want someone to acknowledge the effort you’ve gone to, Sue recommends writing ‘I appreciate the opportunity to do X and welcome your feedback’.

Instead of being aggressive and writing ‘when will I hear back from you?’ or ‘just wanted to check in’, she recommends writing ‘Can you please give me an update by’. 

‘Writing condenses most messages into fewer words, so it is more important to choose those words carefully and assume the best and worst of the reader of those words,’ she said (stock image)

Generally, Sue said with email the key is to be ‘timely and respectful’.

‘Writing condenses most messages into fewer words, so it is more important to choose those words carefully and assume the best and worst of the reader of those words,’ she said.

‘If a person senses any form of attack or aggression in words, they are less likely to respond favourably.’ 

And if you’re struggling to get across what you need to or you need to share sensitive information, she advised a phone conversation is always easiest.

‘If something is more complex, it is always worth a phone call or two-way voice based discussion,’ she said.  

‘If I want to share sensitive information, I always do it in person or by voice, not by text. 

‘People can read and re-read something negative and it can escalate negatively.’

Previously, Sue revealed why you should never use the ‘thumbs up’ emoji if you want to be seen as successful.

She believes words are always better than symbols in a professional icon and can see how people are disillusioned by the ‘all good’ icon.

‘Predictive systems can type a word like Thanks in two clicks after a while,’ she told FEMAIL. 

‘It feels like people are ‘too lazy’ to type a written response and it doesn’t provide clarity as to next steps,’ she said.

‘Do you mean yes I will do something, okay I agree or is it just confirmation that you received the message,’ she added. 

And a poll of 2,000 youngsters between 16-29 found the same, with the majority using it agreeing that those who send it are ‘officially old and past it’.

Other emojis used by ‘old people’ that ranked in the top ten include the red love heart, the OK hand and grimacing face. 

Sue said some people hate the thumbs up because it is seen as an automatic option and ‘could have been pressed by accident’. 

And she agreed with other people’s fears it could be misconstrued.

‘It potentially has very different meanings depending on the cultural background of the recipient – approval, happiness, encouragement, number one or go to the surface when diving,’ she said.

She believes the thumbs up should be ‘kept to social media’ or at most, texts,

‘It can be a nice technique for liking a message before responding in text as it indicates that the sender’s message was ‘good’ and this can aid the relationship,” she said.