You misinterpreted your manager's email tone. How can you effectively resolve the conflict?

1 Acknowledge Emotions

When you realize that you've misinterpreted an email from your manager, take a moment to acknowledge your emotions. Feeling upset, anxious, or even angry is normal, but it's important not to let these emotions dictate your response. Instead, step back and assess why the email might have triggered such a reaction. Understanding your emotional response is a crucial first step in resolving the conflict because it prevents you from reacting impulsively and potentially escalating the situation.

2 Seek Clarification

Once you've managed your initial emotional reaction, the next step is to seek clarification. Rather than assuming the worst about your manager's intentions, reach out to them directly. A face-to-face conversation or a phone call can be more effective for this purpose than another email. When you communicate, be open and honest about how you interpreted their message and ask for clarification on the points that caused confusion. This approach shows that you are proactive in resolving misunderstandings and value clear communication.

3 Express Perspective

It's important to express your perspective calmly and clearly when discussing the misinterpreted email with your manager. Explain how the wording of the email came across to you and why it led to a misunderstanding. By sharing your viewpoint, you're not placing blame but rather providing insight into your interpretation. This can help your manager understand the impact of their communication style and potentially adjust it in future interactions.

4 Listen Actively

Active listening is a key component of resolving any conflict, including those arising from misinterpreted emails. During the conversation with your manager, focus on understanding their perspective. Pay attention to their explanations and the context they provide. Active listening involves not only hearing the words but also noticing tone of voice and nonverbal cues, which can offer additional information about their intent that was missing from the email.

5 Propose Solutions

After clarifying the misunderstanding and discussing perspectives, work with your manager to propose solutions that will prevent similar issues in the future. This could involve establishing clearer guidelines for email communication or agreeing on using different channels for certain types of messages. By collaborating on solutions, you demonstrate your commitment to effective communication and show that you are invested in a positive working relationship.

6 Follow Up

After your conversation, it's beneficial to follow up with a summary of what was discussed and any agreed-upon actions. This can be done through an email or a brief note. The follow-up serves as documentation of your efforts to resolve the conflict and ensures that both you and your manager are on the same page moving forward. It also reinforces the solutions you've proposed and shows that you are dedicated to improving communication in the long term.