How to Decide Whether to Email, Text, Call, or Talk in Person
Below are some of the most common channels for communication, and the ways to use—and not abuse—them on the job.
1. Face-to- face – speaking face-to-face with someone is still best. Whenever possible, seek out (добиваться) these one-on-one situations. To make the most of more impromptu (неожиданный) encounters, prepare!
2. Email– the beauty of email is that you can fully convey (выразить) your thoughts on an important issue. The challenge of emails is that you need to structure them clearly and persuasively—or no one will bother to read them.
3. Text– it’s an easy and friendly way of getting in contact, whether you’re letting a colleague know you loved the conversation you had over lunch, or telling your boss that you’re stuck in traffic and will be 10 minutes late for a meeting. These are quick hits (приемы) that make you look responsible.
4. Phone and voicemail– phone calls can be effective, depending on the situation. If you have a close relationship, you can call someone’s cell, and you may get her on the line. But if you don’t know that person well, don’t call someone’s personal phone number. Leaving a voicemail is similarly ineffective.
