An email chain doesn’t allow for productive dialogue and employees can read a sentence the wrong way and become offended or turned off.

That’s why, to settle a dispute, email should be used to plan a face-to-face conversation. And a leader should take pains to ensure the discussion does not unfold in peoples’ inboxes.

Subject line: Meeting to discuss [issue at hand; “new office layout”]

Hi Samantha, Jon and Reed,

I know there’s been a lot of chatter about our new office layout and where your desks will be located.

Rather than hold the conversation over email, I want us to meet face to face and find compromise on the office layout. I’m confident we can do so as a group.

Let’s meet in the conference room at 2 p.m. today.

Thanks,

– Leader’s first name

Deeper insight

DO NOT try to hold a dialogue among multiple parties over email. It’s an effective way to solve problems and won’t reflect well on your leadership style.

Put the necessary parties in a room together and make everyone agree to a plan that’s fair. Bottom line: don’t let problems fester. Deal with them as they arise and move on.