Emails, meetings and managers.
Most of office life happens in three places: your inbox, meetings, and conversations with your manager. Doing these three well makes you look professional from day one, even before you're an expert in your work.
Professional emails
A good work email is short, clear and easy to act on.
| Part | Tip |
|---|---|
| Subject | Specific: "Sales report for Oct – ready for review" not "Hi" |
| Greeting | "Hi Sana," or "Dear Mr. Reddy," (more formal) |
| First line | The purpose: "I'm sharing the October sales report for your review." |
| Body | Short points; one idea per paragraph |
| Action | What you need and by when: "Please confirm by Thursday." |
| Closing | "Regards," + full name + role |
Subject: Leave request – 14 November (Friday)
Hi Sana,
I'd like to request leave on Friday, 14 November, for a family function.
My weekly report will be shared by Thursday evening, and Rahul has agreed
to cover any urgent client queries.
Please let me know if that works.
Regards,
Ayesha Fatima
MIS ExecutiveWhich email subject line is best?
Specific subjects help people find and act on emails quickly.
Email mistakes to avoid
- Writing in ALL CAPS (it feels like shouting).
- "Reply all" when only one person needs the answer.
- Forgetting the attachment you mentioned (attach it first, then write).
- SMS language: "pls", "u", "plz revert asap".
- Sending angry emails. Wait, calm down, then write.
Meetings
- Join on time, camera on if the team does, mic muted when not speaking.
- Prepare: read the agenda and have your updates ready.
- Speak briefly and clearly; it's okay to say "I'll check and get back by 4 pm."
- Take notes and write down action items for yourself.
- After important meetings, a short summary email ("Minutes of meeting") is appreciated.
Working well with your manager
Stay professional, document important instructions by email, focus on your work, and talk to HR if there's harassment or unfair treatment. Never respond with anger in writing.
Not good. Unprofessional language and impatient tone. Try: "Hi Rahul, could you share the client file when you get a moment? I need it to finish the report by 3 pm. Thanks!"
Good. Shows progress, flags uncertainty, offers options.
Your manager gives you a task in a quick call. What should you do first?
Confirming avoids misunderstandings and wasted work.
Your task (20 min)
Write three practice emails using the structure: (1) a leave request, (2) sharing a report, (3) asking a colleague for information politely. Read them aloud. Are they short, clear and easy to act on?
Lesson 12 complete!
You can write clear professional emails, behave well in meetings, and build a good relationship with your manager. Next: salary, offer letters and PF.
Next: Salary, offer letters and PF →