Email is an effective medium for transferring many types of information, depending on the sender and the recipient. But it many cases it is not the best medium, especially if negative emotions are even the slightest possibility.

When there's trouble, a disagreement, or a misunderstanding… stop emailing and pick up the phone or get face to face. I've seen many people "hide" behind email to avoid a face to face confrontation. It's sickening to see someone get fired or demoted via email, be they an employee, contractor, or vendor.  That's chicken ka-ka.

The same applies if you are trying to convey information that is critical and there is a chance you could be misunderstood. Speak human-to-human.

And yes, attorneys like to say that the "E" in E-mail stands for "Evidence".

I have a friend that is an independent IT guy for some pretty big people, and smaller organizations….  Smaller people-wise, but BIG on money.  One of his jobs is to keep an eye on communications for some of his clients.  Yeah.  People have been fired because of emails they have sent.  Even in small companies.  In large corporations, it happens fairly frequently.

On a personal level, I have been working with my teenage daughter for a couple years now, regarding typed communication.  Text messages, emails, and EVEN chat.  Often we in the corporate world will be a bit more free with an instant messaging situation.  IM CERTAINLY has its place and saves a lot of time over email.  It is a GREAT tool for many reasons.  Here, it is not allowed to communicate major decisions, email is used for that because of the documentation trail it provides.  HOWEVER, if the person on the other side of an IM happens to save your communication that you thought would be informal and private.  IT CAN COME BACK TO HAUNT YOU.  This is a PR situation for your personal AND business life. 

For instance if you were having an inverview with a reporter, you know you would say as few words as possible to get your point across, and you try not to leave pauses in your sentences – a couple of the things that make it harder to be mis-quoted.  However, when you write it, they can slice it.

BE CAREFUL with ANY written communication.