Raise your hand if you start written requests with “Please.” Raise your other hand if you end with “please,” or sprinkle a few “please” statements throughout your documents. If you are like most business writers, both hands are now up. It's the "I surrender" stance and appropriately so. Your use of "please" is giving the reader the option of not responding, and putting you in a subservient position. Take back the power. From here forward:
• One to a customer. You are limited to only one “please” per document, and you may not spend it in your first or last sentence.
• Stop/Look/Listen. Think about the persuasive people you've met. They are polite and considerate while remaining enthusiastic and goal oriented – without using “please.” If you are using “please” to soften the blow or motivate, is it really necessary?
• Go team! Replace those “pleases” with a “will you” or “your input is needed” even with a superior. This puts you on the team, focused on getting a job done, rather than serving as a flunkey and hoping the reader will help.
Now, for you overachievers, try writing without any “pleases.” Read it out loud. If you would respond positively to the tone, press send . . . and show off your leadership/management acumen.
From Claudia Coplon and Steve Clements, Executive Speak/Write’s skills improvement trainers who can help you prepare and deliver oral and written communications that drive business.
