AGH! I sent an email out and accidentally entered the wrong email address of someone who is mentioned in the email. It's not anything terrible, just that organization is not their strong suit (which she knows that herself). I am embarrassed, and want to handle it with owning up to the issue and mistake. I think it warrants a phone call. What would you do?
ALL IS FINE WITH ME AND FRIEND. SHE SAYS SHE WOULD'VE TOLD THE RECIPIENT THE SAME THING ABOUT HERSELF.
****This is not a business/professional/work situation at all! It is 2 people trying to plan something an one is unorganized and can't get stuff together, and the other wondering why. Personal situation. No jobs involved.
I've called. Had to leave a voicemail as I know she is in a meeting right now. Followed up with an email asking her to call me before reading the mistaken email.
FYI - this is a person I have known and am very close to for over 25 years. She laughs about being unorganized and never able to "keep up". I was just explaining that to the intended email recipient who asked me why she is so difficult to work with. I'm praying she can accept what I said as "truth", and not gossip, as that was not what I was doing.
As for being organized and together - I am not either of those things right now myself. :(
very embarassing! I feel for you- I've been there. Call, and be upfront and that's the best you can do!
"organization is not their strong suit"
Saying this to a friend about another friend, is "gossip" pure and simple. At best you will have hurt someone's feelings. At worst you may have lost a friend.
I would send an email and apologize and follow up with a phone call if you receive a reply.
Gossip is a vicious circle that often comes back to bit us in the backside.
I would call her, let her know you accidentally sent her an email, and that you hope she won't be hurt that you were talking about her behind her back.
Just saw your SWH... that makes it even worse! Someone came to you complaining about your friend and you responded. Now she is owed an apology from both parties.
Yikes. As Toni mentioned, this is pretty much gossipy. While the person is aware of her short-comings, she may not like the idea that you are discussing that with another person. If this is an office situation, I would try to retrieve the email. You can "retract" something that was sent from within your organization if you do so before the person checks it. If this is outside of your office or you don't have that capability, this warrants a phone call.
Just think about how you would feel if you were the one accidentally "receiving" this message.
I would call her personally and let her know that you sent an e-mail to her that mentioned you in it...and before she gets upset or hurt, you wanted to know FROM you it was NOT meant to be mean or hurtful.
In the future? Attention to detail will help avoid situations like this!! That's why I don't type anything here I wouldn't say to your face, be embarrassed to have my children or mother read.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Dont beat yourself up. I am sure it will smooth over.
Just be glad it was not a racy one to your hubby and you sent it to the wrong address.. Yep, I did that. So has hubby.
Oh yes, I've done this too with sensitive information regarding a local hospital foundation.
Yes, just own up to it. Call and admit that you inadvertently included the wrong email address. If no answer, then a short email to the wrong recipient should suffice.
And my mistake was worse than yours. The gal I apologized to saw me recently at another event, raised her hand and waved with a smile, saying remember me? That was one important apology that left no negative consequences.
Just do it.
Oh gosh, this is one of my worst fears (for some irrational reason). I always triple-check that I have the right email address (and that I'm texting the right person on my iphone). Sorry that happened to you!!!
Yeah, I would definitely contact the person (not by email) to apologize. I bet she'll laugh it off. Hopefully she's not offended.
To make you feel better, someone at my work emailed the WHOLE company that he would be out for some blood tests the next day instead of just his manager. Poor guy. I think that if a true friend of mine spoke her honest observations about me to someone else I would be fine with that. But I am 51 and am fully aware of my short comings. Might be different if I was younger and still had illusions about my own greatness, lol!
Don't sweat it. Apologize, "I hope I did not offend you with my statement about your organizational skills, it was means to keep things you don't like to do away from you", then move onto fun topics.
Sorry this happened to you, that stinks!! But absolutely call, get it over with and you will feel better that you at least explained yourself. Good luck!
I would at least email her and apologize, can't take it back. I prefer email because it gives me more time to think about what to say. I'm not good at thinking on my feet on the phone and sometimes I make it worse.
Sure she knows, but that doesn't mean it's not embarrassing for HER. I know organization isn't my strong suit, either. I still wouldn't like it to be announced in an email. Why do you even HAVE to say that to other people? You don't!! If someone asked me why someone is difficult to work with, you better believe I would NEVER discuss that in emails, or in person. That's straight up gossip. Even when something is TRUE, it can be gossip.
You do OWE her an apology. Call her, and apologize. In the future, you do not need to express people's weaknesses in emails. Say something like, "We need to find someone who will fit the position well," or "I don't believe any of us currently fit the bill." OR "I don't think this is something I'd like to discuss." Something general, NOT personal. What you did is RUDE, whether she saw it or not. Very unprofessional.
Geez, kick her when she's asked a question. Its a mistake and well intentioned. Cast the first stone, judgy judgertons.
Apologize, try to get her in person so she can understand your intentions. It sounds like you were acting in the service of a friend rather than maliciously putting her on the chopping block.
I just did this for the first time (that I know of!!) a few days ago!
I felt really embarrassed. It was personal and I accidently sent it to a client of mine. I was really busy when it happened, but you can be sure I'll slow down in the future! I simply sent him another email apologizing to him. I guess you can say we're all just Human!
Call.
Its happened to me when I sent a message to my manager instead of a co worker --so embarrassing lol as I was telling her not to mind the fact that he was on her case!!! lol
B. k
