Liz
Strauss often reminds me that “the internet doesn’t have an eraser.”
And while that’s true, publishing on the internet
is only part of the story.
When we write emails to anyone about anything they
can be shared.
Even if our company plasters warnings all over corporate
emails, they won’t do the job. People
talk and people share, whether we want them to or not.
It may not be industrial espionage (although I’m
sure that happens as well).
It’s often unhappy people sending our messages to
their friends.
They may want advice, encouragement, or to illustrate
how horrible they feel their organization (our organization) treats people.
Once we write something down, it lives
forever.
Hi Mary!
How true. I often get sent email strings from people who area unhappy with how someone has communicated with them or are trying to show me how “messed up” something is – the original people on that email have no clue it’s been forwarded outside of their company.
I try not to put anything in email that I wouldn’t want forwarded to someone else (although it’s hard sometimes as you’re helping people work through issues). I’ve started to pick up the phone if I have something to say that needs more context.
a
Yes, and white-out on the computer screen doesn’t do much good either!
I’ve got a client whom forwards my emails to others – emails which are intended for him only and not for the others. Ouch! Doesn’t matter how many times I tell him not to – he’s just merrily rumbles along. I love the guy, but…
And, with the Internet, even the company doesn’t save everything – chances are your emails are still out there somewhere.
Liz – how true (I hate when those little pieces of eraser get stuck in the keyboard!).
Steve – That’s the second time this week I’ve heard of a policy like that. It’s always worth thinking before we communicate (writing, talking, rolling our eyes!), but when communications can make the rounds independently and out of context it’s even worse.
Just sat in a meeting where the corporate General Counsel announced that all emails were saved on a server, even those one might consider deleted.
The message: Think before you write. It can come back to bite you because it will always be there.
Yep. They won’t even let us scribble things out. Darn.