Overcome Workplace Burnout Using Emotional Authenticity: Tips to Better Communicate
Woman battling workplace burnout and putting her head down on the table.
The effects of the 2020 pandemic seem like they just won’t quit. It feels like we are operating at light speed yet the days take place in a slow motion of hot garbage molasses. Communicating with emotional authenticity but in a manner that doesn’t suck your energy is key--especially as we continue to settle into the new norm of society.
Feeling totally overwhelmed, anxious, and uncertain is extremely common even today, no matter your profession. I am a naturally anxious person and find great comfort in planning as much as possible. That biannual dentist appointment? A recurring event on my calendar. End of quarter review reminders? Scheduled.
Avoiding Burnout Begins with Planning, Owning Our Reactions, and Nixing ‘Sorry’!
While many things still feel or to an extent, seem impossible to plan, we have some semblance of control within the universe of Self. Tarot and astrology (I know, I know...) have taught me that much. And while we can’t control the behavior of others, we can use self-discipline to control the way we communicate and respond to our everyday stressors. And sometimes it’s necessary to simply power off to give yourself space to power up.
We should focus on being clear, unapologetic, and practical when we communicate with our colleagues and clients to keep things tidy. Now is the time to stop writing ‘apologies’ and ‘sorry for the delayed response’ (and yes, there is a Google Chrome plug in for that).
Here are a few reminders and tips for communication to put into practice during correspondence to ensure you’re not leaving your recipient exasperated:
How to Email: Tips to improve communication with your colleagues
Keep your emails concise.
Think about: What can you cut out that doesn’t take away from the point? With a little creativity you can be direct without being terse. It brings to mind the most basic of all news writing advice: The Five Ws: Who, What, When, Where, Why (and How). No one wants to wade through a flowery email with lines upon lines of words to unearth what we’re being contacted about. Get to it!
The clearer you can make an email, the easier it is to move on and strike that item off your to-do list. And you’re more likely to get a (favorable) response.
Resource: How To Write An Email Asking For Something (& actually get it)
Include a call-to-action (CTA) in your subject.
Maybe: Insert [Please Read] or [Quick Action Needed] into the subject line. Ensure you have a snappy subject line that gets to the point and place those Five Ws in the body.
We don’t know if everyone is “doing well” this year.
Avoid the overly cheery greeting. Not everyone is “doing well” this year.
Instead, try: focusing on emotional authenticity, safety, mental health and well-being, especially when it comes to work.
“Hope you and yours are safe.”
“Happy to connect with you again.”
“Thanks for your email. Excited to get this project started!”
Think about timelines.
If you are asking for feedback or info, state exactly when you need it. And maybe that CTA needs a due date for when a response needs to be returned by. This can also be helpful for those who scan their inbox.
Consider: Adding “TLDR” (too long, didn’t read) at the top of the email including precise deadlines and key takeaways. Another good way is to highlight those due dates in a bright color (personally I like a light green background color).
Be friendly but not overly sentimental.
Make it personal: Find your brand tone! Get your copy of our 1-page worksheet (below) to find the best tone for authentic work emails.
Mindfulness of Brand & Tone
When writing to your clients and colleagues, stick with the tone of voice and a general vibe of the company you’re representing. Weaving in brand personalities and company values are ways companies brand themselves to present themselves as zipped-up industry leaders. When we work to push a brand or company’s mission, we must also embody the feel, style and language as we act as a united but independent extension.
Find your brand tone!
Learn how to distill your brand tone in 4 questions with this free worksheet
We respect your privacy and won’t spam you or share your email.Laura Wyant (she/her) is a freelance digital strategist and writer/editor living in NYC. She works in various industries with a focus in start-ups and technology. When she isn’t working in media she strives to educate herself on advancements in technology and intersectional women’s health and wellness.
