My father used to tell me 'the pen is mightier than the sword.'
So I've always been careful how I wield my power.
His words are worth bearing in mind at work. With so much of our business correspondence done in writing today, we need to be mindful about what we commit to print.
Especially now in the digital age. Once written, it's out there forever.
That doesn't mean you can't state your case passionately. Just don't get personal.
Don't write something you wouldn't say in the company of your boss. AND NEVER SHOUT WHEN CONVEYING YOUR DISAGREEMENT.
The recent campaign by the two hopefuls for the Liberal Party presidency is a case in point.
The heated invective between the incumbent (Alan Stockdale) and the wannabe (Peter Reith) was played out in a series of leaked emails and newspaper opinion pieces.
The public was left in no doubt about the deep disregard the two members of the one party have for each other.
Verbal face-to-face spats are ugly enough. But when put to paper and published for wider consumption, personal opinion can be positively career-destroying.
So keep it nice when writing at work. And use 'reply all' with caution.
