Have I Told You I Hate Email?
For as long as I can remember, I have never enjoyed writing. It's a somewhat ironic statement as I sit down to write this blog post – a venture that is, in itself, a first for me.
Throughout my 20 years of business experience, I can honestly say that I have never once enjoyed sitting behind the computer and typing up an email to explain either the pitch, the circumstance, the potential decisions or opportunities, etc.
Even when I was younger and less experienced, I would have preferred meeting in person or discussing over the phone. I’ve always believed that my ability to convey nuances, insert humor, clarify, use sarcasm, smile, frown or express the appropriate emotion was far better accomplished through the spoken word or facial expressions.
These thoughts were sparked after reading an article from the Wall Street Journal about the astonishing amount of time people still devote to email communication in the year 2023 – and the subsequent waste of valuable time it often represents.
I've touched upon the concept of asynchronous communication in the past, expressing my preference for it. If I had my way, I’d do away with emails altogether. Instead, I envision a world where we communicate through asynchronous voice or video messages.
If you're now thinking, "Tanner never responds to my emails," or "I spend ages crafting emails, and Tanner responds with just a few words," let me clarify – it's not you; it's just that I hate email. My intention here is not to persuade you to abandon email entirely, but rather to encourage you to consider a different perspective.
The Email Quandary
Emails have undoubtedly revolutionized communication in the business world. They're efficient, instantaneous, and allow for a written record of correspondence. However, they come with their fair share of shortcomings.
Loss of Nuance: One of the significant limitations of email is its inability to convey the subtleties of communication. Nuances, humor, and emotions can easily be misinterpreted or lost in text.
Time-Consumption: Composing emails can be time-consuming, especially when trying to articulate complex ideas or discussions that would be more efficient in spoken form.
Miscommunication: The risk of miscommunication is higher with email, as recipients may interpret messages differently than intended.
A Vision for the Future
So, what's the alternative? In a perfect world, I imagine a shift away from traditional email toward more expressive and efficient modes of communication:
Asynchronous Voice Messages: Imagine being able to leave a voice message that your recipient can listen to at their convenience, allowing them to capture your tone, enthusiasm, and clarity. Voxer, Slack and most text messaging apps have this function.
Asynchronous Video Messages: Similar to voice messages, video messages would enable you to convey not just your words but your facial expressions, body language, and surroundings, adding a layer of depth to your communication. I use Loom regularly to share thoughts and ideas with clients and colleagues.
Combination of Both: A hybrid approach could offer the best of both worlds, allowing you to choose between voice and video messages depending on the context and your preference.
In a world with ever-evolving technology, perhaps it's time to rethink our approach to communication. While email certainly has its merits, it's not the solution for all business communication needs. Let's explore alternatives that offer a richer, more expressive, and efficient means of conveying our thoughts, ideas, and emotions. Email may not be going away anytime soon, but there's always room for innovation and improvement in the way we connect and communicate in the digital age.