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Forwarding messages power move
Forwarding a message is a power move.
Not always "bad" and sometimes perfectly calibrated.
But certainly potentially out of place.
If you have the right to demand an answer, absolutely forward the message without any additional comment or, even better, just a question mark.
But it's out of place to forward an email if you're the service provider seeking a customer's response.
YOU are the offer with the onus of providing good service.
And that means that you should also make it easier for him, and power protect.
The forwarding instead sub-communicates "your next step is pending, move your ass".
I recently got such a message (later realized it wasn't a full forwarding power move TBH, but the analysis stands), and while I was pondering whether to go for them or not, the forwarding power move made me decide for "no".
Thank you Lucio,
it's a great insight.
My former boss and other colleagues of his were the masters of forwarding emails and ending with a question mark, or multiple question marks. For me, it soured the relationship even though I was their subordinate. (One of them lately tried to call me to involve me in a work project, and I didn't respond. Later he asked another person if he could call me and ask me, and I answered I was busy.)
I myself, as a service provider, would never ever - even to the hypotethical "worst" of my clients - forward an email by another person without including any text of mine. I agree it's a red-level power move.
Hello Bel,
Knowing a little about the type of person your boss was, I'm not surprised in the least that he'd do that :).
In general, if a boss does that to a new intern who is slacking on tasks and showing some attitude, it'd be perfectly suited.
Doing so as a boss to a good employee is already overly disempowering and not cool.
Definitely not the type of boss you want to work with/for.
Hello Lucio,
Thank you for this case. I read it a few times but I'm not sure I understood correctly the situation. You mean "CCing" another (powerful) person, that is including a 3rd party, is that correct?
Quote from John Freeman on June 14, 2023, 12:02 pmHello Lucio,
Thank you for this case. I read it a few times but I'm not sure I understood correctly the situation. You mean "CCing" another (powerful) person, that is including a 3rd party, is that correct?
It's like when you take an email or a text you sent someone and resend it to them once again as a way of putting it back into their to-do list and/or to "poke" them.
