A manager told me my emails were too long and it actually helped

My old boss pulled me aside after a project and said, 'I need the main point in the first line, not the fifth paragraph.' I was sending these huge updates with every detail. Now I write the key action or result right at the top, then add bullets only if needed. It cut my email time in half and people reply faster. Has anyone else had to totally change how they write at work?

3 comments

3 Comments

young.michael1d ago

What about the power dynamics though? A junior person sending super short emails to leadership might look like they aren't doing the work. I had to learn to match my boss's style, short for the VP but detailed for my direct manager who wanted all the backup. It's not just about being concise, it's about reading the room.

morgan.jason1d ago

You know, I used to push for the shortest email possible every time. Michael's point about reading the room is spot on, though. Matching the person's style shows you understand the situation, not just the task.

lucast811d ago

Honestly I've found the opposite... sometimes you need that fifth paragraph for proper context. Cutting everything down to bullets can create more confusion later.