If you send an email to a team member this weekend – someone who works for you, reports directly to you – what do you expect them to do?
A} respond and take action immediately
B} respond and delay action until Monday
C} don’t respond, just read it and be aware
D} don’t read or respond…until Monday
Most leaders I talk to say that they send emails on the weekend to simply clear their mind of pressing things. The email serves as a handoff that the team member will receive on Monday morning.
Most leader I talk to do not intend for their team members to read, respond and act on the substance of the email during the weekend. And yet most employees I talk to feel obligated to do exactly that.
Leaders, if you are a weekend emailer – or a late night one, for that matter – will you please make it clear to your team if you expect A, B, C or D above?
Also, before you hit send, pause for a moment and ask, “Can it wait?”
They deserve a weekend. And you do, too.
DAVID BERRY is the author of “A More Daring Life: Finding Voice at the Crossroads of Change” and the founder of RULE13 Learning. He speaks and writes about the complexity of leading in a changing world. Connect with him on Twitter at @berrydavid.
