Writing an Email for Your Task Lead
It may seem rudimentary, pointless, or like it’s beneath you. But, crafting a message for your task lead that accompanies the kickass deliverable you recently completed benefits both you and your PM. Here’s how:
Saves time. While you may have slaved over the deliverable for hours, the PM may be contractually required to email the submission. It doesn’t seem unreasonable for your PM to spend a few minutes developing the communication given that you slaved over the report for 3 months, right? True, but reflect for a moment about the many other deliverables that your PM may also be juggling simultaneously. Taking 5 minutes to write that email on your project manager’s behalf is a nice way to help your boss. Which, by the way, is your job.
Improves efficiency. Since you worked on the deliverable, you are the closest to the work, so you are best positioned to highlight any areas that you would like the email recipient to focus on as part of their review. You’ll have more insight than your PM in this area, so it is only logical that you draft the message.
Showcases your willingness to help. Asking you to draft the email may leave the impression that your boss is giving you the grunt work while they get to perform the interesting tasks. But, recognize that writing this email represents an opportunity to earn your PM’s trust. Knock even the smallest task out of the park, with enthusiasm, to demonstrate your willingness to do more. As you build that trust, work you enjoy follows.
Hones your skills. Depending on your PM’s experience, they have drafted dozens, if not hundreds, of similar messages in their career. Your PM isn’t going to learn anything from writing this type of email. At this point, you’re probably thinking, hey, what am I going to learn? It’s an email. I’d argue that, regardless of how brief or seemingly trivial the communication, there is an art to writing an email well. Seek to cultivate that talent through practice.
Helps the business. Since you’ve written this email on their behalf, now all your task lead has to do is quickly proofread, then push send. This frees up their time to work on other priorities. This may also leave a bad taste in your mouth, until you consider that improving your boss’s strategic focus ultimately generates more opportunities for your team to perform interesting work. Each team member has a role to play in contributing to the health of the business.
