Email Communication Skills for Associates

Have you ever sent an email and instantly wished you could take it back? Priya did. Fresh out of college, two weeks into her first job, she sent a department-wide email with the subject line “URGENT NEED YOUR HELP!!!” The CEO was copied too. That one email changed how people saw her. But it also became the start of her biggest learning curve. In three months, she went from being the intern everyone pitied to the team member trusted with client communication. Here is what she learned about writing professional emails that actually work: 1. Tone matters. All caps and too many exclamation marks do not show urgency. They show panic. How you write is how people hear you. 2. Attach before you write. Add the file first, then type your message. It is the simplest way to avoid the classic mistake of forgetting the attachment. 3. Check before hitting Reply All. One careless click can embarrass you in front of the entire company. Always double-check who is receiving your message. 4. Write clear subject lines. “Need your input by 3 PM today” is better than “Hello.” Be specific. It helps others prioritise and respond faster. 5. Proofread every word. Names, dates, and grammar reflect your attention to detail. Read your email aloud. If it sounds wrong, it probably is. 6. Keep it short. Most professionals skim. Make your point in the first few lines. Use short paragraphs or bullet points. 7. Be polite but firm. “Could you please” gets better results than “You missed the deadline.” It is not about being soft. It is about being professional. Priya did not just learn to write better emails. She learned how clarity builds trust and how respect earns attention. Every email you send either strengthens your reputation or weakens it. The next time you hit send, remember this. Your words carry your voice even when you are not in the room. ♻️ If this resonated with you, please share it with others in your network.

I was a Chief Customer Officer by 29 (and a millionaire by 30) I joined Buddy Media at 26 as a project manager In 3 years, I ran a 100-person team In 4 years, we sold the company for $745M I became a millionaire in the process The # 1 factor in my success? Clear communication! (yes, it’s that simple) I get 20-50 terrible emails a day. - They ramble. - They bury the lead. - They’re unclear on the ask. - They use jargon to look smart. - They want me to do all the work. And they wonder why their career is stuck.  (spoiler: you’re a bad communicator) (and it’s hurting your career) Here’s how to fix it. 👇 And write perfect emails to your boss. 1. Main Point First   → Open with your key message or ask.   Bad: Rambling intro   Good: “Sales are up 15%. I need approval to expand ads.”     2. Context Second   → Give brief, relevant data after your point.  *Bad: Long backstory   Good: “North up 20%, South down 10%.”     3. Be Specific   → Propose a solution and make a clear ask.   Bad: “What do you think?”   Good: “Can we launch the campaign tomorrow?”     4. Use Bullets   → Break complex info into bullets.   Bad: Dense paragraph   Good: 3-line bullet list showing key trends     5. Anticipate Questions   → Answer what your manager will likely ask.   Bad: Let me know if you have questions   Good: “Attached is the South region breakdown.”     6. Respect Their Time   → Keep it tight. Don’t default to a meeting.   Bad: Long-winded, multiple long paragraphs   Good: “Summary below. Happy to meet if needed.”     It seems so simple. And the good news? It IS simple. Yet, most employees pull up a blank email and start spewing. Then wonder why they're stuck. Don’t be one of them. Tighten up your communication. And watch your career take off! 🚀 P.S. How many bad emails do you get per day?

Have you encountered angry emails before? Very early in my career, I was in a product management role where I had to deal with internal and external partners alike. There was this email from a partner that came with a specific request but it couldn’t be done. And being young and inexperienced, I just replied accordingly in a straightforward way that it cannot be done. Then, the angry email came. And my boss’s boss was copied. I was very scared. My career was going downhill before it could even go uphill! She immediately took me aside to coach me on what happened - I hadn’t sensed the urgency and concern and had responded without empathy. Hence, the partner was very angry. She laid out a framework to respond, and asked me to try again. I applied the framework and interestingly the partner simmered down and we could work together thereafter to address his concerns. Here’s the framework: - Empathise by acknowledge their frustration/concern. - Explain what we have tried thus far. - Provide context or reason if we cannot support. - Offer some alternatives if possible. Over the years, I’ve also applied other techniques of effective email writing: 📧Use the @ function in Outlook to attention to the recipient prominently I.e. @jene.lim@experian.com 📧Your ask should be prominently in the first two sentences, with context and details below if reader wants to read. 📧Write to address intent (understand where the other party is coming from). 📧Ask a few questions in a go with different scenarios to avoid to and fro. For instance, “ Do you have this? If yes, what is the price? If no, what else can you offer etc.” 🙋♀️How about you? What’s your tips on writing good emails? #career #work #personaldevelopment #effectiveness #jenelim

Why don’t I get engagement on my posts😢 This is the most common question. I’m back on LinkedIn after a 2-week break. Shift your focus from engagement to adding value and you’ll get there…slowly Meanwhile, here’s my post on how to elevate your email communication. Let’s delve into the heartbeat of modern communication - emails! They’re more than mere text; they’re your voice, your presence, and your professional persona. Unleashing the power of impactful email communication can set you miles ahead. 🌟 Clarity: Ever received an email that left you baffled? Clear and concise communication is the cornerstone. Convey your message within the first few lines. For Example, swap “Regarding the meeting” with “Confirming our meeting on [date].” Simple, right? 🌟 Tone: Your tone should resonate with the context. Whether it’s a formal business proposal or a friendly follow-up, strike the right balance. For Example, “We appreciate your input” exudes gratitude, while “You need to fix this” might sound a bit abrupt. 🌟 Structure: Organize your thoughts. Begin with a friendly greeting, segue into your purpose, and wrap it up with a clear call to action. Steer clear of lengthy paragraphs—break them into digestible chunks for seamless reading. 🚫 Common Mistakes to Sidestep: 1. Rambling: Stick to the point. 2. Grammar Blunders: Proofread for professionalism. 3. Neglecting Subject Line: Your first impression matters. 4. Ignoring Formatting: Cluttered emails confuse recipients. Remember, each email is a chance to leave a lasting impression. Ready to take your email game to unparalleled heights? As someone who has successfully trained over 1000 students and numerous corporate employees on various aspects of communication, I’m here to empower you! 🌐🗣️ If you’re an individual aiming to enhance your communication skills or a corporate entity seeking workshops spanning diverse soft skills 🌟 Email etiquette, 🌟 Business communication, 🌟 Personality development, 🌟 team building, 🌟 Interpersonal skills I’m at your service 🚀 Don’t hesitate to DM me and let’s discuss how we can collaborate on training sessions, webinars, or seminars tailored to your unique needs.

𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 = 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 (𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀) “I thought the message was clear.” But then I’d get: • 3 follow-up emails. • 2 missed deadlines. • And 1 frustrated teammate. If you’ve ever led a remote team, you know: 📧 Miscommunication isn't about laziness— It’s about ambiguity. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘁. Over the years of coaching executives, here’s what I’ve noticed: The best leaders don’t just send messages. They design communication for clarity, structure, and emotional connection. 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝘁 👇 (I broke it down in the infographic attached.) 🔎 𝟯 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 💡 𝟭. 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 – 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 → 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: “Quick update” or “Touching base” → 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴: “Client Feedback Needed by EOD” or “Budget Review: Final Draft Approval” 💡 𝟮. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 – 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 → Use bullet points, bold key dates, and keep paragraphs short → Structure builds speed—especially for teams juggling multiple threads 💡 𝟯. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝘅𝘁 → Add warmth and context: “𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭” + “𝘈𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬’𝘴 𝘴𝘺𝘯𝘤…” → It’s not fluff—it’s trust-building. 📊 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁? ✅ Fewer back-and-forths ✅ Faster decisions ✅ A team that feels informed, respected, and aligned 👋 If you’re leading a remote or hybrid team, and you're tired of the fog that comes with virtual communication… This is where real leadership shows up—not in more emails, but better ones. — 🧠 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿? Subscribe to my free newsletter and get the full DNA of Influence™ framework— A proven system to boost executive presence, influence, and clarity in any room (or Zoom). 🔗 [Link In The Comment Section] #leadership #peakimpactmentorship  #communication #remotework #dnaofinfluence #emailtips

Have you ever wondered why you don't get responses effectively most of the time when you reach out to someone? Let's talk about effective communication and avoiding common pitfalls when reaching out to others for help or guidance. Over the years, I have learned some valuable lessons that have greatly improved my communication skills, especially when connecting with busy professionals like physicians or senior colleagues. Here are some key points to consider: 1. Start with a Proper Greeting: Instead of jumping straight into your message, take a moment to greet the person respectfully. Avoid informal greetings like "hey bro" or "hi," and opt for a more professional approach. 2. Introduce Yourself Clearly: Make sure to introduce yourself early in the message so the recipient knows who they're talking to and the purpose of your communication. 3. Be Direct and Concise: Clearly state what you need or want from the recipient concisely. Avoid unnecessary details that may clutter your message and make it difficult to understand. 4. Express Gratitude: Always remember to thank the person for their time and consideration. A simple closing statement or expression of gratitude goes a long way in demonstrating professionalism. 5. Organize Your Message: Ensure your message is well-structured with proper spacing and formatting. Avoid sending multiple disjointed messages and instead, consolidate your information into a single coherent message. 6. Watch Your Grammar and Punctuation: Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and capitalization to convey professionalism and attention to detail. Simple mistakes can detract from your message and give the impression of carelessness. 7. Respond Promptly: Show respect for the other person's time by responding to their messages promptly. Delayed responses can signal a lack of seriousness and commitment. By following these guidelines, you can enhance your communication skills and make a positive impression when reaching out to others for assistance. Remember, professionalism starts from the very first interaction, so strive to communicate effectively from the outset. I'll continue to share more insights on this topic, but for now, let's focus on implementing these practices into our communication efforts. Our journey as aspiring healthcare professionals must demonstrate professionalism and effective communication skills right from the start. #communication #usmle #match2025