In a working environment with the pace of instant resolution to problems and tasks, we necessarily rely on email as a means of communication without the delay of hand-delivered memos and snail mail.  Certainly email is a useful and increasingly necessary tool in our ability to respond quickly.  My concern is that relying on this tool too heavily can make us so dependent that it replaces common sense!!  Let me give an example.

 I am aware of a small business with only 9 employees in an office where all have workstations without closed partitions and no one is further than 10 to 12 feet away from anyone else.  In such relatively close quarters you can talk to another employee without raising your voice.  In spite of such close proximity, the office manager frequently resorts to emailing to each rather than speaking directly to them.  I can’t believe doing so is faster than speaking one on one, unless they are on the phone.  When resorting to this means on a regular basis, it is not only insulting, but cold and indifferent.  Our language may be imperfect but words have meaning and using them verbally also reflects an emotional tone that adds value – good or bad. 

 Is that manager effective, afraid of facing people or just plain lazy?  What do you think??