Have you ever stopped and counted how many emails you get in a day? It’s hard to count because we are often checking when we wake up, checking while we’re drinking our coffee, checking when we get to our office, checking when we’re waiting around for others, checking when we’re, well, you get the point. No matter how often we check, they just keep coming. Some emails are necessary, and some we try and weed out as junk mail, but there’s one kind of email that just drives me crazy. I’m referring to the scourge of all humanity, the biggest waste of time and productivity on the email landscape… the dreaded Reply All button.
Last week I was copied in on a rather simple email that went out to about a dozen people. The email was simply confirming a meeting place for an upcoming gathering. The moment I saw it, I shuddered and thought to myself: “I hope these people know how to respond to this request.” They didn’t.
The first email came rather quickly. “I’ll be there!” That one didn’t bother me all that much, but I did stop what I was doing when I heard the email bing announcing its arrival. It was the next twenty-two that arrived during the day that made me crazy. Not one of the twenty-two emails required any action of the group, or provided any new insights except for one: “By the way, I just moved my office down the hallway.” Of course, I didn’t know the individual, let alone the office she was referring to, but I suppose it counted as something new.
I’m going to say this as calmly as possible; think before you hit that Reply All button! A part of me would like to remove this option altogether, but there are those few rare times when it is actually needed. So, (other than me whining about it,) what’s the solution?
- If you are the sender, and you don’t want everyone replying to everyone, consider putting the email addresses in the Blind Copy, (Bcc,) panel. Reply All will be useless to anyone who dares to hit it.
- If you are the sender, remind recipients of their options. My friend Jesse knows how to do this. Recently she sent out a request for information to group of people on a committee and wrote in her email: “No need to reply all, just send a note directly to me.” Bless you!
- If you are the recipient, take one extra second, and seriously consider if your all-important, “Thanks Betty; I’ll be sure to bring Larry with me!” needs to be sent to everyone else on that list.
In the end, it becomes a matter of courtesy. I’m a person who tries to make good use of my time and energy, but I’m no match for that email bing that goes off announcing yet another email. It’s hard enough dodging the onslaught of junk mail that pours in daily. If you’re sending something out to a group, consider some of the suggestions I’ve listed. If you’re a recipient, and your fingers are hovering over that Reply All option, take a moment before sharing your reply. Imagine what a wonderful world this would be if we all just slowed down a bit, and we were a little more considerate in how we share information with others.
(F.Y.I. – On June 25th and 26th I will be conducting one and two-day “Influence Without Manipulation” workshops in Washington, D.C. If you, or someone you know would like to attend, see Jolles Academy for more information.)
Rob, The problem can be compounded when the original note is sent to a large group in error. For some reason, people responding back with “You sent this to me in error” reply all. Then the next person sends out “please do not reply all” also replies to all. Before you know it, EVERYONE receives hundreds of worthless emails. I’ve seen it happen several times on a global scale. My record is receiving over 500 emails from the original mistake. Thanks for bringing this to everyone’s attention.
500?! You’ve got me beat, but I’m willing to guess if you added all the Reply All’s I’ve received over the years I’d be able to add a zero to that number you posted. Thanks so much for posting Glenn.
Rob- great article! This is one of the biggest time wastes in business and your analysis is spot on.
I sent it to my team of about 50 employees. If any of them reply all in return, it will be very telling.
Keep up the great work.
It’s a huge time waster, and it actually diminishes the responses we’re often looking for. I get so numb by the wasted responses I receive I’ve missed a few responses I was looking for. Maybe a quick warning saying, “Please make sure that what you’re about to share with the group is really necessary” would be a nice feature to add to that pesky button. I smell a Shark Tank product! Really glad you posted Seth. Thanks.
Hey Rob…great information on the ‘Reply All’ button….for all you folks out there, who are still ‘gainfully employed’….but, for this recently ‘retired’ guy, it’s not quite as formidable….but, nevertheless, useful.
Saw your ‘Jolles Academy’ video, Rob….and noticed your several appearances on my local Ch 10 T.V. show – “Communicating Today” – on which you expressed yourself admirably….but the poor host (me) never got a chance to get a word in …’edgewise’….! You ‘stole’ the show!!!
But I appreciate the ‘exposure’ for our long-running, popular program, on which you’ve appeared numerous times – as one of our very best guests!
JM
“C.T.”
Now you see, you did get a lot of words in edgewise, I just edited them out for the video! It’s always a pleasure appearing on your show, and getting your comments John. Your show, “Communicating Today,” is a local treasure.
Rob,
Good public service announcement. There is something that you didn’t address, and I’d be curious to hear your thoughts. You mentioned that receiving a reply all message is frustrating, time consuming, and perhaps inconsiderate – all relating to the recipient’s state of mind. My question is – from a business perspective, how does it reflect on the person or people who SEND out a needless “reply all” message when, for example, you receive a string of 20 “reply alls”?
-Brad
How does it reflect on those who send out needless REPLY ALLS? The people who send them do not garner my respect, and judging by the emails and comments I have been receiving, I’m certainly not alone. However, frequently I’m getting these REPLY ALLS from clients, meaning, although they frustrate me to no end, I need to smile, and ignore them. But if these people were working for me, I can assure you, it would stop. Thanks for jumping in on the conversation Brad!
Great message, Rob. I’ve shared these same thoughts with my team and my husband many times. The most frustrating is when I’ve been away from the office a few days without checking emails to find several that are totally useless!